King Charles III has officially granted the title of "His Highness" to Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan, following his recent accession as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shi’a Ismaili

Muslim community.

Buckingham Palace announced:

"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’."

A tradition of recognition

This decision follows the precedent set by Queen Elizabeth II, who conferred the same honor upon the previous Aga Khan, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV. Prince Karim, who led the Ismaili community for nearly six decades, passed away in Portugal on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88. He had succeeded his grandfather to the title in 1957, when he was just 20 years old.

The announcement of his son's succession as Aga Khan came in the days following his passing.

A historic connection

The tradition of bestowing the title “His Highness” on the Aga Khan by the British monarchy dates back centuries. Historical records indicate that Queen Victoria first granted the title to Aga Khan III, who assumed the position at the age of nine.

Buckingham Palace described this ongoing recognition as a reflection of:

- The strong historical ties between the British Royal Family and the Aga Khans

- The Aga Khans' service to the Crown over the years

- The Imam’s leadership role among Ismaili communities, particularly in Commonwealth nations

- British Citizenship and Royal Prerogative

Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is also a British citizen. As sovereign, King Charles III retains the authority to grant or revoke the styles of “Highness” and “Royal Highness”, a power historically exercised by the British Crown.

This latest recognition reaffirms the deep and enduring relationship between the British monarchy and the Aga Khan lineage. Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia commons.