Saudi ‘Sleeping Prince’ Alwaleed bin Khalid laid to relaxation; funeral prayer held in Riyadh | World News

Mourners collect in Riyadh for the funeral of Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid, referred to as the ‘Sleeping Prince’/ Image Composite: SPA/ File

TL;DR

Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud has handed away, closing a chapter marked by hope, uncertainty, and quiet resilience. For almost 20 years, he lived in a coma after a automotive crash in London modified the course of his life at simply 15 years outdated. The Saudi royal, who had as soon as been a younger cadet at a navy school, spent the remainder of his life underneath intensive care in Riyadh, watched over by his household and remembered by many in the dominion.His dying was confirmed by the Saudi Royal Court on July 19, and funeral prayers have been held a day later, on Sunday, July 20, at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, as reported by SPA. The second marked the top of an extended, deeply private journey for his household, particularly for his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, who had stayed by his facet and held on to the potential for restoration.

Who Was Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid, the ‘Sleeping Prince’?

Born in 1990, Prince Alwaleed was the son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud and the nephew of distinguished businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. In 2005, whereas attending navy school in London, a automotive accident left him with a extreme mind harm that resulted in a long-lasting coma. The harm brought about a mind hemorrhage, and regardless of medical efforts, he by no means regained full consciousness.He returned to Saudi Arabia quickly after and was stored underneath round the clock care. Over the years, quick clips often surfaced on-line exhibiting slight actions, sparkles of response that his father believed have been indicators of hope. These moments stored the prince in the general public eye and have become symbols of religion and endurance for a lot of Saudis.

A Funeral Marked by Quiet Respect

On Sunday, July 20, mourners gathered at one in every of Riyadh’s oldest and most distinguished mosques to provide funeral prayers. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh, led the prayer. Members of the royal household stood collectively, joined by high-ranking officers and extraordinary residents alike.Among these current have been the prince’s father, his two brothers, and his uncle Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Their presence marked each the closeness of the household and the load of the loss they’d carried privately for years.There was no official ceremony past the prayer, only a collective acknowledgment of a quiet life and the individuals who by no means left his facet.

UAE Leaders Share Their Condolences

Following the announcement of his dying, condolences started arriving from throughout the area.According to SPA, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan despatched a message to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, providing sympathy on behalf of the Emirati management. Similar messages got here from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Presidential Court.Their responses mirrored greater than diplomatic protocol, they confirmed the deep private and political ties that hyperlink the management of Gulf nations. Prince Alwaleed’s passing, although quiet, stirred actual emotion throughout borders.

Family, Faith, and a Long Wait for a Miracle

Throughout the years, Prince Khaled bin Talal usually spoke publicly about his son’s situation. He remained hopeful, even sharing uncommon footage the place the prince appeared to transfer a hand or blink in response to sound.Many in the dominion noticed this lengthy vigil as an act of affection and religion. The story of the Sleeping Prince wasn’t nearly tragedy, it grew to become an emblem of endurance. His father’s refusal to quit was each admired and deeply human.Though Prince Alwaleed by no means recovered, his story stayed alive. And in that manner, he was by no means completely gone.

FAQ

He was a Saudi royal born in 1990, the son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and nephew of businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. He fell right into a coma in 2005 after a automotive accident and remained in that state for almost 20 years.He suffered a mind hemorrhage after a extreme automotive crash whereas finding out at a navy school in London.

The funeral prayer was held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia