In a moment that has left hearts heavy across Saudi Arabia and beyond, Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, popularly known as the ‘Sleeping Prince’, passed away on July 19, 2025, the Royal Court confirmed through the Saudi Press Agency. Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled was 36 years old. His death brings a quiet end to a long, painful chapter of unwavering hope, patience, and fatherly devotion.Why is Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled called Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’
Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled’s life changed forever in 2005 when, at the age of 15, a devastating car accident left him with severe brain injuries. He was studying at a military academy in London at that time. What was supposed to be the start of a bright, promising future became a two-decade-long battle between life and death for the Prince. Despite getting some of the best medical care in the world from American, Spanish, and Saudi specialists, and countless prayers, Prince Alwaleed remained in a coma. He only responded occasionally with minimal movements that kept his family’s hope alive.During this difficult time, his father Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud became a symbol of unconditional love and undying faith. Over the years, he refused to give up on his son, rejecting calls to withdraw life support. Instead, he turned his palace into a sanctuary of prayers, often posting emotional messages and Quranic recitations on social media. Videos of the prince slightly moving to Quranic verses would often go viral, touching millions of hearts across the Arab world. For Prince Khaled, every small sign from the Sleeping Prince felt like a divine message of hope that one day his beloved son might open his eyes again.But, this never happened. The Sleeping Prince stayed in coma for 20 years, and passed away on July 19, 2025.Sharing the news of the passing away of his beloved son, Prince Khaled quoted the Quran and wrote in his emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), “O reassured soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], and enter My Paradise…” With a heart full of faith in Allah’s decree, the grieving father bid farewell to his son after 19 long years of standing by his side.Funeral prayers for Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled is scheduled for Sunday, July 20. For men, the prayer will be held after Asr at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, and for women, it followed Dhuhr at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. The palace opened its doors to mourners for three days, welcoming men in the Al-Fakhriyah district and women after Maghrib prayer.Prince Alwaleed’s life became a rare and powerful story of hope, heartbreak, and a father’s endless devotion. His memory will live on— not just as Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince,’ but as a young soul who inspired millions to believe in love, prayer, and perseverance even in the face of impossible odds.
