The royal family of Saudi Arabia announced the passing of Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, 36 years old, known as the "Sleeping Prince"; after spending 20 years in a coma due to a terrible accident he suffered in London in 2005.

"With believing hearts in the will and decree of Allah, and with deep pain and sorrow, we mourn the loss of our beloved son: Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who passed away today," announced Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud in a post on his social media, where he confirmed the death of his firstborn.

The news marks the end of a story marked by hope, faith, and resilience against the limits of medicine.

In a coma since he was 15 years old

The accident that changed his life occurred in 2005, when he was just 15 years old and studying at a military academy in the English capital.

The young prince suffered a brutal crash while traveling in a car, which caused him a massive brain hemorrhage and severe traumatic brain injury.

The impact of the accident was immediate and devastating after British doctors, who treated him urgently, determined that the young man suffered total loss of consciousness and diagnosed him in a persistent vegetative state.

Al-Waleed was immediately repatriated to Saudi Arabia and admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, the most advanced military hospital in the Asian country.

There, an intensive life support protocol was activated, which included mechanical ventilation, feeding through a gastric tube, and continuous medical care.

Kept alive despite the advice of the attending physicians

The decision to keep him alive was a subject of debate and deep spiritual reflection. The doctors, following international protocols, recommended withdrawing life support in the absence of significant neurological progress.