Prince Al‑Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, long known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince”, has died at age 36 – ending a remarkable two-decade chapter of tragedy and faith.

The Saudi royal died on Saturday, 19 July, at a specialist medical facility in Riyadh, following a prolonged coma that began in 2005 after a devastating car accident in London  .

Born in April 1990, Prince Al‑Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud and a nephew to billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. At the age of 15, while studying at a military college in London, he suffered severe brain injuries and internal bleeding, resulting in a cerebral haemorrhage that left him in an unresponsive coma.

Transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, he remained on life support under constant medical care. Despite involvement from specialists in the United States and Spain, the young prince never regained consciousness.

The prince’s death was confirmed by his father on Twitter, who said: “With hearts believing in Allah’s will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, we mourn our beloved son … may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away today.” 

Funeral prayers will be held on Sunday, 20 July, after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. Condolence gatherings are scheduled to continue over several days at the family residence