TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” passed away on Saturday at the age of 36 after spending nearly two decades in a coma.
He had been on life support and under constant intensive care in Riyadh since suffering a severe brain injury in a car accident in London in 2005.
Who Was the Sleeping Prince?
Born on April 18, 1990, Prince Alwaleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, a prominent royal and the nephew of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. He was also the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
At the time of his accident, he was studying at a military college in London. The crash, which occurred when he was 15, caused extensive brain and internal injuries, leaving him in a total coma.
A Life on Life Support
After the accident, he was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on a ventilator and feeding tube. Despite efforts by international medical experts, he never regained consciousness.
In 2015, doctors recommended that life support be withdrawn, but his father, Prince Khaled, refused, insisting on keeping hope alive.
In 2019, the prince briefly responded to light physical stimuli, such as finger movement and slight head turns, offering a brief moment of hope that ultimately faded.
Two Decades of Vigil and Prayer
Throughout the 20 years of his coma, Prince Alwaleed’s father never gave up hope. He maintained that life and death are in the hands of God.
Though not directly related to the reigning King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the prince was part of the extended royal family. King Salman was his great-uncle.
Prince Khaled frequently shared updates and tributes to his son online, which went viral across social media. He decorated the prince’s hospital room to celebrate major occasions like Ramadan, Eid, and Saudi National Day.
According to Mirror, many visitors came over the years to pray for the prince and support his family.
Even after years without improvement, Prince Khaled remained at his son’s bedside, a symbol of unwavering parental devotion. His steadfast presence drew admiration and sympathy from both Saudis and international observers.
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