Has Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ really woken up from a 20-year-long coma?
In June 2025, a viral video on social media created a stir across the world, claiming that Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal — popularly called the ‘Sleeping Prince of Saudi Arabia’ — has finally regained consciousness after the horrific car accident of 2005. The news spread so fast that several international media channels and online portals covered it. But the question is — is this claim true or just a rumour? fact-check report, we will get to the bottom of this viral claim, and find out whether the ‘Sleeping Prince’ has really woken up from a coma after 20 years or not.
Nature of injury:
He suffered a “traumatic brain injury” (TBI), and as a result he entered a coma and became dependent on medical assistance.
Accident Details
When and where?
Prince Al‑Waleedbin Khaledbin Talal suffered a severe brain injury in a car accident near a London military academy in April 2005. He was then aged about 16 years
🏥 2. Coma status and care
Statistical statistics:
Duration of coma: Approximately 20 years (2005–2025)
He is still on ventilator and feeding tube, and is constantly being cared for by a medical team at KingAbdulazizMedicalCity, Riyadh
2015 decision:
Doctors that year recommended withdrawing life-support, but his father, PrinceKhaledbinTalal, rejected it, saying:
“If Allah wanted him to die, he would be in the grave. So I will not give up hope.”
Minor reactions in 2019:
Signs of raising finger, moving head, but no progress towards full consciousness
Largest family: structure and members
Father: PrinceKhaledbinTalalAlSaud
A billionaire royal member who continues to take care of his son firmly
Mother: Common sources refer to her as “Princess Reema”, but no clear confirmation
hindustantimes.com
Family details:
PrinceAl‑Waleed Great‑uncle: KingSalman
Grandfather: PrinceTalalbinAbdulaziz, son of King Abdulaziz
Number of siblings, names, birthdays etc. not publicly available.
HouseofSaud Network:
The royal family is one of the wealthiest families in the world; its total wealth is estimated at 100 billion USD and sometimes as high as 1.4 trillion USD
pulse.ng
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en.wikipedia.org
Estimated cost of care
Unknown: Ventilators, feeding tubes, individual medical teams, actual costs not shared publicly by the family.
Average estimate: Such cases can cost millions of dollars every year. Since the royal family’s wealth is vast, they can easily afford this expense, but no official figure has been found.
viral videos
False claim (June 2025):
A video went viral on social media and Twitter claiming that the Prince has woken up from a coma and is interacting with family.
Reality:
The man in the video is actually YazeedMohamedAl‑Rajhi, a Saudi rally driver and businessman who suffered injuries at the BajaJordan Rally in April 2025.
ndtv.com
His teams confirm he is conscious, in stable condition—with two vertebral fractures—and receiving medical care.
Conclusion:
The viral claim was completely false; the video was not of Prince Al‑Waleed but of YazeedAl‑Rajhi.
Fact Summary
Subject Information
Accident April 2005, car accident near military academy in London—complete brain injury
Duration of coma Approximately 20 years (2005–2025)
Medical condition Ventilator and feeding tube-based life support
2015 Decision Doctors advised to stop life support, but father rejected it
2019 Reactions Raising finger, shaking head—but not full awareness
Family and determination Father: Prince Khaled; Mother: Reema; Grandparents: Talal bin Abdulaziz; Great-uncle: King Salman
Viral video Fake—YazeedAl‑Rajhi’s video went viral wrongly as Prince
Cost Not publicly known—estimated at millions of dollars per year
Conclusion
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal has been in a deep coma since 2005; his condition is not expected to change until 2025. Her family, particularly her father, continues to provide life-building support, and no official financial details have been disclosed—though it likely costs millions of dollars given the royal wealth. The viral video was entirely based on mistaken identity.