Did the Saudi Sleeping Prince, Al Waleed, Wake Up After 20 Years?

A recent viral video claimed that Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” Al Waleed, had awoken from a 20-year coma. The internet lit up with tearful tributes and messages of celebration. But the story, while it may be touching, is simply not true.

Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal has been in a coma since 2005, following a traumatic brain injury sustained in a car accident while he was a student at a military college. Since then, he has remained unconscious, kept alive by machines and his family’s unwavering hope.

So, Where Did the Video Come From?

The video that sparked the rumour shows a man waking up in a hospital bed, greeted with cheers and embraces. The accompanying text falsely claims the man is Prince Al-Waleed, regaining consciousness at last. That is not the case.

The footage actually features billionaire rally driver Yazeed Mohamed Al-Rajhi, recovering from a crash during the Baja Jordan rally. In April, his team—Yazeed Racing—released an official statement confirming that both Al-Rajhi and his co-driver had been hospitalised but were stable and conscious. Al-Rajhi sustained two spinal fractures; his co-driver, four.

After Al-Rajhi was discharged, a video of his recovery began circulating. Someone paired it with a photo of Prince Al-Waleed and fabricated the story, triggering a viral storm of misinformation.

What’s the Real Status of the Prince?

Prince Al-Waleed remains in a coma, despite turning 36 this past April. His family continues to care for him, holding out hope for a miracle. His father, Prince Khaled, has repeatedly refused doctors’ recommendations to withdraw life support, steadfast in his belief that his son can recover.

Prince Al-Waleed is a great-grandson of Saudi Arabia’s founding monarch, King Abdulaziz. Over the years, rare videos have shown minimal movements, but according to medical professionals, he has not regained consciousness.

The Bottom Line

The “Sleeping Prince” has not woken up. The viral video is a case of mistaken identity—and deliberate misinformation. While hope for his recovery endures, the facts remain unchanged: he is still in a coma, and his future is uncertain.

Always verify your sources. In the age of viral content, not everything is as it seems.

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