Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal—widely known as the ‘sleeping prince’—has remained in a coma for nearly 20 years, as his family continues to reject doctors’ recommendations to end life support.
In 2005, while attending a military academy in the UK, Khaled bin Talal was involved in a catastrophic car crash. The accident left him with a serious brain injury and unresponsive to stimuli ever since.
The prince recently turned 36 on April 18, marking two decades since the tragic event that altered his life. His condition, however, remains much the same.
Currently, he is receiving constant care at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where a dedicated medical team monitors him around the clock.
Despite medical professionals previously suggesting withdrawal of life support due to the length and severity of his condition, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud and Princess Reema bint Talal have stood firm in their decision to continue care.
Prince Khaled has passionately defended the decision to preserve his son’s life. He once stated: “If God had intended for him to pass in the accident, he would no longer be with us.”
His conviction stems from a deep spiritual belief and the persistent hope that his son may one day regain awareness.
Princess Reema has also spoken publicly about her connection with her son, saying she still senses his presence and feels that his spirit continues to linger.
Although the prince’s state has shown minimal progress over the years, a small sign of life was reported in 2019 when he allegedly raised a finger—an incident that made headlines.
According to Roya News, “The prince continues to depend on full life support, including a ventilator and feeding apparatus. His last known movements—small and infrequent gestures like a lifted finger or slight head movement—occurred in 2019, though they didn’t signify full consciousness.”
This year, the family has remained silent, releasing no public statement on his birthday. However, the story has again resurfaced on social media, drawing international attention and prompting many to offer thoughts and prayers.
This wave of public interest tends to resurface each year as his birthday passes, with global audiences reminded of the extraordinary case.
Khaled bin Talal belongs to Saudi Arabia’s royal lineage, and his great-grandfather was one of the kingdom’s founding leaders.
