On Monday February 10, King Charles granted Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan the title “His Highness” to mark the latter’s accession as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community.
Royal.uk reports that a statement from The King says: “To mark the accession of Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan as the fiftieth hereditary Imam of the Shi’a Ismaili Muslim community, and in accordance with long-standing tradition, it has pleased The King to grant the new Aga Khan the title ‘His Highness’.”
Tradition of the title being accorded by the Monarch to the Ismaili Imams dates back to the first Aga Khan, according to the statement.
This title was initially granted to Aga Khan I in recognition of his role as spiritual head of the Ismaili community and as a religious leader of global importance. Many of the Ismaili community also reside in Commonwealth countries.
“This tradition continues and now also recognizes the work of Ismaili Imams in the fields of interfaith dialogue, education, healthcare, and other forms of socio-economic development which make a hugely positive contribution to communities worldwide.”
“…Records show that the title ‘His Highness’ was accorded to Aga Khan III by Queen Victoria in 1886 when he was just 9 years old, the year after his accession to the role of Imam. The title of ‘His Highness’ was accorded to Aga Khan IV by Queen Elizabeth II in July 1957 approximately a fortnight after he succeeded his grandfather.”
“…The Late Aga Khan IV had a warm relationship at a personal level with Her Late Majesty and His Majesty King Charles, as well as institutionally with the British Government in diplomacy and international statesmanship. This has been recognized for example through the events hosted by Her Late Majesty and the UK Government to mark His Late Highness’ Golden and Diamond Jubilees and the award of a Knighthood.
“His Late Highness Aga Khan IV was the Founding Patron of the King’s Trust.
“His Late Highness Aga Khan IV and all his children, including Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, and his children, are British citizens and have close affiliations to the UK. Prince Rahim’s mother is British as was his late paternal grandmother,” says the statement.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V was named 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims on February 5, 2025, following the unsealing of the Will of his late father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died in Lisbon, Portugal on February 4, aged 88.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam and the first Shia Imam.
Throughout their 1,400 year history, the Ismailis have been led by a living, hereditary Imam. The Ismailis live in over 35 countries and number approximately 12 to 15 million.
