Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” marked his 36th birthday on April 18, 2025, after spending almost two decades in a coma. The prince suffered a severe brain injury in 2005 following a car accident while studying at a military college in London.
Despite medical advice to discontinue life support, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, has remained firm in his decision to continue caring for his son. “If God had wanted him to die in the accident, he would have been in his grave now,” Prince Khaled once declared, expressing his unwavering faith in his son’s eventual recovery.
Over the years, there have been occasional signs of responsiveness. In 2020, a video showing Prince Al-Waleed slightly moving his hand in response to a greeting from his aunt reignited public hope. However, he has yet to regain full consciousness.
Prince Al-Waleed is a great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, and his case continues to draw widespread attention across the kingdom and beyond. Supporters frequently send messages of encouragement, and many continue to pray for a miracle.
“He responded with his hand to say hello,” a family member noted after the 2020 incident, describing it as a deeply emotional moment for the family.
Despite the challenges, Prince Khaled and his family refuse to give up hope. “We trust in God’s will, and we believe that recovery is still possible,” he reiterated in a previous statement.
The story of the “Sleeping Prince” remains one of enduring faith, love, and patience, symbolising the deep bonds within the royal family and the broader hopes of many well-wishers who continue to follow his journey.
