Saudi Prince passed away after spending 20 years in coma

Following a catastrophic vehicle accident in London, Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, 36, the Saudi royal known as the “Sleeping Prince,” passed away after spending 20 years in a coma.
Earlier today, July 19, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, wrote a moving message on 𝕏 announcing the devastating news.
“We mourn our beloved son, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away today, with deep sorrow and sadness, and with hearts believing in Allah’s will and decree,” he wrote.

While studying as a military cadet in the UK, Prince Al Waleed was involved in an accident that left him with severe brain trauma and internal bleeding, which caused him to go into a coma at the age of 15.

His family stayed optimistic and refused to remove him from life support, keeping a careful eye on him for nearly 20 years in spite of the physicians’ pessimistic predictions.

Read Also: Mandela Day: UNA-Nigeria Reiterates Call for Justice and Equity

The kingdom was briefly given hope in 2020 when a video appeared that appeared to show the prince moving his fingers slightly in response to a voice. This gave the country and his family optimism that he may recover.

Princess Noura bint Talal Al Saud posted the video, which showed a woman at the prince’s bedside urging him, “Habibi, hello.” Hi, hi, let me check.

The first and only indication of consciousness he had shown in years was a small movement of his hand in response.

But that glimmering hope of recuperation never materialized.

The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh will host funeral prayers for the late prince on Sunday.

According to local reports, following Dhuhr prayers, a special women’s prayer service would be held at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital. There will be a three-day period of mourning till Tuesday.