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King Charles and Rahim Aga Khan

British Monarch King Charles III confers the newly installed 50th Ismaili Imam, Prince Rahim Aga Khan, with the title of His Highness

10 February 2025

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Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

In an announcement published today, Monday, February 10, 2025, King Charles III has granted the title of “His Highness” to Prince Rahim Aga Khan. He continues the legacy as the 50th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, succeeding his father, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, who passed away in Lisbon on February 4, 2025. The following is the King’s full announcement (please click HERE to read it at source), followed by a Tweet on ‘X.’

The King is pleased to grant the new Aga Khan the title “His Highness”

Published 10 February 2025

The tradition of the title being accorded by the Monarch to the Ismaili Imams dates back to the first Aga Khan.

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’.

Background:


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 recognises 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.

The title ‘His Highness’ has been accorded by the British Monarch to the Ismaili Imams dating back to the first Aga Khan, who was resident in India and has continued to this day, being reconfirmed after each succession.

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.

It is understood that the designation of the title ‘His Highness’ to the Imam of the Ismailis by the British Monarchs is a reflection of the strong relationship which has existed over time between the families, the service to the Crown which the Imams have undertaken over the years (initially in Afghanistan and India in particular) and importantly the recognition of the leadership position of the Imam in respect of the Ismaili population which has been and continues to be present in many Commonwealth countries.

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 recognised 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.

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External coverage: The granting of the title of His Highness to Prince Rahim by King Charles has been published in media worldwide. Here is a selection:

Date posted: February 10, 2025.

Note: A version of this post appears on our sister website, Barakah, which is exclusively — and passionately — dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan.

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