By Jheruleene Anne Ramos
Saudi Arabia is mourning the death of Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as the “Sleeping Prince,” who passed away at 36 after being in a coma for two decades.
In a post on X on July 19, the prince’s father Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, who is a prominent Saudi royal and nephew of billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, announced that his beloved son had passed away at a medical institution in Saudi Arabia.
“With hearts believing in Allah’s will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, we mourn our beloved son: Prince Al-Waleed Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away today,” he wrote in Arabic, as quoted by People.
The post, accompanied by a black-and-white photo of his son lying in a hospital bed, drew hundreds of comments and condolences.
A life frozen in time
Born in 1990 and nicknamed Dede by his family, Prince Alwaleed grew up with a bright future ahead of him but was involved in a tragic car accident at age 15 while attending military college in London in 2005.
The prince suffered several severe brain injuries and internal bleeding and fell into a coma, with doctors saying that regaining full consciousness and living a “normal life” was not a “probable scenario,” Times of India reported.
Determined not to give up, the family transferred him to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he received care from Saudi, American and Spanish specialists.
Despite their efforts, he remained in a coma for two decades, his life becoming one frozen in time, earning him the title “Sleeping Prince.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Hug at Coldplay concert goes viral – US Tech CEO suspended as company investigates
Firm belief in divine healing
His father publicly dismissed suggestions to withdraw life support, holding firm in his belief in “divine healing” and often shared footage of himself and his son’s journey to recovery on social media platforms.
While there was no significant improvement in the prince’s condition, the family documented several instances where he slightly responded to Quran recitations or showed minor physical reactions, such as lifting his hands and fingers.
These moments, though brief, offered hope and resonated widely on social media, becoming symbols of patience and faith beyond Saudi Arabia.
Sleeping Prince laid to rest
Following the announcement of his death, mourners from different walks of life gathered at one of Riyadh’s prominent mosques to offer prayers on July 20.
Among those present were his immediate family, as well as high-ranking officials such as Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahaman bin Abdulaziz and ordinary citizens.
There was no official ceremony beyond the prayer, but it reflected a two-decade journey of hope and resilience that earned admiration across borders.
Though Prince Alwaleed never regained consciousness, his story continues to inspire many as a testament to a father’s enduring love and hope in the face of unimaginable challenges.
READ NEXT: Myanmar’s opposition to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership draws regional scrutiny
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
Vivien Bernardino