A viral video claiming that Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, has awakened from a 20-year coma has been debunked as false. The video, widely shared on social media, purports to show the prince waking up and reuniting with family members. However, this is not the case.
Prince Al-Waleed has been in a coma since 2005 after suffering a severe brain injury in a car accident at the age of 18. As of now, he remains in this condition, despite repeated expressions of hope from his family, particularly his father, who has steadfastly refused to terminate life support despite medical advice to do so.
The footage in question actually depicts Saudi billionaire and rally driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who recently recovered from injuries sustained in a separate car accident during the Baja Jordan rally. Reports indicated that both Al-Rajhi and his co-driver were hospitalized after the crash, with Al-Rajhi suffering fractures in two vertebrae. After his recovery, a video was released showing him meeting visitors in his hospital room, which was then misleadingly associated with the story of the “Sleeping Prince.”
While it is understandable how the mix-up occurred, the facts are clear: Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal remains in a coma, and the viral video does not relate to his condition. This incident sheds light on the importance of verifying claims before sharing them online, especially concerning sensitive topics like health and recovery.
This situation serves to remind us that while hope continues for the prince’s recovery, it is essential to distinguish between fact and misinformation circulating on social media platforms.