The King has bestowed the title of ‘His Highness’ on the new Aga Khan.
Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan became the Aga Khan following the death of his father last week.
Buckingham Palace said ”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”.
King Charles gave the title to Prince Rahim just as his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made the previous Aga Khan a highness. The previous Aga Khan, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, died in Portugal on February 4 2025 at the age of 88. He had been Aga Khan for almost 60 years, having succeeded his grandfather to the title in 1957 at just the age of 20.
His son’s succession as Aga Khan was announced in the following days.
The title of ‘His Highness’ has been given to the Aga Khan by the British Monarch for several centuries and records show Queen Victoria bestowing the title on the Aga Khan III when he succeeded at the age of nine. Buckingham Palace said it was 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….and…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.”
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is also a British citizen.
King Charles, as Monarch, has the right to give or take away the style of Highness or Royal Highness.
