Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, a Saudi royal family member widely known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died at the age of 48, nearly two decades after a car accident left him in a prolonged coma. His passing, confirmed by family representatives on Saturday, marks the end of a medically fragile chapter that transformed him into an emblem of perseverance across the Arab world. His funeral will be held Sunday in Riyadh, according to relatives.

The prince, a nephew of Saudi billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, sustained critical injuries in a high-speed collision in Riyadh in 2005. Despite receiving immediate medical care, he never regained consciousness and remained in an unresponsive state for 19 years. His condition, rare in its duration, drew widespread attention, with many across the region following updates on his health through local media over the years.

Though largely absent from public life after the accident, the late royal became a subtle yet resonant figure, symbolizing hope and tenacity for those grappling with personal or familial health crises. Social media tributes in recent years often referenced his story as a testament to enduring faith during adversity.

The broader Saudi royal family, one of the world’s most prominent dynasties, has not yet issued an official statement. However, insiders close to the household described plans for a private funeral service in line with Islamic traditions, followed by burial in the Al Oud cemetery, a resting place for many senior royals.

The accident that altered the course of Prince Al Waleed’s life occurred during his mid-20s, a period when he was less publicly visible than his uncle, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a longtime magnate with holdings in global companies like Citigroup and Twitter. The younger prince’s ordeal, juxtaposed against his uncle’s high-profile career, underscored the starkly divergent paths within elite Saudi lineages.

While the royal family typically guards medical details closely, the prince’s extended hospitalization occasionally surfaced in local discourse, with commentators highlighting the family’s sustained efforts to provide care. His case also sparked intermittent discussions about road safety reforms in Saudi Arabia, though no direct policy links were established.

The prince’s legacy, as described by regional observers, lies less in public achievements than in the quiet inspiration his story offered—a narrative of dignity amid vulnerability. His death, while long anticipated, has reignited reflections on resilience, mortality, and the human dimensions of life within one of the world’s most scrutinized royal families.