King Charles has conferred the title of ‘His Highness’ on Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan following his accession as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community.
A statement from the British monarch on Monday highlighted the longstanding tradition of granting this title to Ismaili Imams, dating back to the first Aga Khan.
“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,” it said
Read also: Prince Rahim Aga Khan: A New Era for the Ismaili Imamate
Prince Rahim Aga Khan assumed leadership after the will of his late father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, was unsealed. The Aga Khan IV passed away on February 4 in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88. His funeral was held at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon, followed by a private burial in Aswan, Egypt, where he was laid to rest near his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah.
The British monarchy has historically recognized the Ismaili Imams for their global contributions in interfaith dialogue, education, healthcare, and socio-economic development. The title of ‘His Highness’ was previously granted to Aga Khan III by Queen Victoria in 1886 and later to Aga Khan IV by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, shortly after his succession.
The recognition is seen as a reflection of the enduring relationship between the Ismaili Imams and the British Crown, particularly in Commonwealth nations where many Ismailis reside.
