If 99% of issues can be resolved with money, this tale is the 1% that demonstrates that even royalty faces difficulties in life and that there are some issues that only God can handle.
The “Sleeping Prince”—Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud—has been in a coma for 20 years. Despite not being a direct son or sibling of the present monarch, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the prince, who is also a billionaire, is a member of the Saudi royal family.
The founder of modern Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, had numerous sons, including Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the father of his father, Prince Khalid bin Talal. Prince Al-Waleed is thus a great-nephew of King Salman and a great-grandson of King Abdulaziz.
He’s been in a coma; why?
While attending a London military academy in 2005, Prince Al-Waleed was involved in an automobile accident that resulted in a catastrophic brain injury. According to reports, his other companions who were in the car were unharmed.
He had a brain hemorrhage, went into a coma, and has been on a ventilator ever since. King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh has been providing him with round-the-clock care and a feeding tube for more than 20 years.
Why Has He Been Maintained ‘Alive’ For This Long?
Al-Waleed’s father, Prince Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, was instructed by physicians in 2015 to remove life support, but he disregarded the advice because he believed that his spirit would eventually awaken from its profound sleep. He made the decision to stand up for his son and asserted that God would have been at his burial if he had intended for him to die in a vehicle crash.
He is cited as saying:
He would be in his grave right now if God had intended for him to perish in the disaster.
Reema, the prince’s mother, also described sensing her son’s spirit among them. The family has periodically provided updates on Prince Al-Waleed’s health over the years. A video that appeared in 2019 showed him swaying his head back and forth in reaction to a relative’s voice.
When his aunt, Princess Noura bint Talal, greeted him the next year, he was seen lifting his hand in another video. Supporters and the family have viewed these few occurrences as indications of possible engagement. ”
While movements in patients in a long-term coma are uncommon, they can be a sign of maintained brain activity, according to medical professionals who have commented on Prince Al-Waleed’s condition. Such motions give optimism that some cerebral connections may still be active, but it is unlikely that he will return to his usual life, said neurologist Dr. Al-Mansoori.
On social media, Prince Al-Waleed’s illness has received a lot of attention. Princess Rima bint Talal posted a fresh image of the prince on X (previously Twitter) in 2024, and it received over two million views in less than a day.
Despite the insurmountable odds, his family’s dedication to his care speaks to the public and demonstrates a spiritual belief that goes beyond wealth and science. They wouldn’t have cut any corners if money could have brought him back. His 36th birthday was recently celebrated, and social media was ablaze with well-wishes and prayers for his speedy recovery.
Also Read:
