King Charles III held a Dinner for Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan, the Aga Khan V at Windsor Castle on the evening of February 4th, to mark the first anniversary of his Accession as the Aga Khan V and the 50th Hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailism.
King Charles III was pictured alongside Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan, the Aga Khan V in the Gallery at Windsor Castle ahead of the Dinner, which was also attended by members of the Aga Khan’s Family.
His Majesty King Charles III honoured Mawlana Hazar Imam with a dinner this evening at Windsor Castle, coinciding with the first anniversary of his ascension to the Ismaili Imamat. Hazar Imam was accompanied by members of his family.
In 2018, King Charles, the then Prince of Wales, opened the Aga Khan Centre in London—a place for education, knowledge, cultural exchange and insight into Muslim civilisations. Each year, almost 50,000 people attend events and seminars on its premises, including some in collaboration with the King’s Trust and the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts.
As a Founding Partner of the Earthshot Prize, the Aga Khan Development Network works closely with The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales to support the global effort to protect and restore the natural environment.
For more than 60 years, the Jamat has worked closely with Royal organisations to promote peace, pluralism, and social progress in the UK and the Commonwealth.
The late Queen held a Gala Dinner to mark the Golden Jubilee of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV at Buckingham Palace in 2007.
A decade later, the Royal Family held a Dinner for Prince Karim Aga Khan IV to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the his leadership as Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim Community at Windsor Castle.
His Highness Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan formally assumed his position as the Aga Khan V and the 50th Hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailism in a Takht-nishini Ceremony at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon last year, following the Death and the Funeral of Prince Karim al-Husayni, the Aga Khan IV.
It had been announced that Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan, the Aga Khan V was granted the style of ‘His Highness’ by King Charles III.
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’.
The second child and oldest son of the late Prince Karim al-Husayni, the Aga Khan IV and Princess Salimah Aga Khan, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan was educated at Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts before graduating from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature in 1995, and also completing graduate studies in management and administration at the IESE Business School University of Navarra in Barcelona.
Prince Rahim has been actively involved in the governance of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), being on the Board or Executive Committee of the the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, and the Aga Khan University Foundation among many others.
In 2013, Prince Rahim married Kendra Irene Spears, and the couple had two sons; Prince Irfan Aga Khan and Prince Sinan Aga Khan before their divorce in 2022.
Upon the death of the Aga Khan IV last week, Prince Rahim has succeeded as the 50th Hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailism, leading 15 million followers.
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.
Emerald Suite
Ogden Mills Boucheron Tiara
Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan’s Diamond Necklace
Diamond Bracelet Tiara
Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace
Bulgari Turquoise Necklace
Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace
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