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Royal News

The Aga Khan – the man who made Queen Elizabeth II’s dreams come true

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader and philanthropist, has died in Portugal at the age of 88.

Prince Karim Al-Hussaini was the 49th Aga Khan and imam of Nizari Isma’ilis, with his death bringing a huge sense of sadness across the world.

Amongst those mourning his passing will be the Royal Family, who have enjoyed a strong relationship with the Aga Khan family.

Indeed, his late Royal Highness was responsible for one of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong dreams coming true, when she won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2013 with her filly, Estimate.

Who can forget the scenes from the Royal Box on that day, when Her Majesty was cheering home Estimate to win the prestigious race, and the joy etched on her face when the brave filly claimed the prize?

The Gold Cup was a race that The Queen had always wanted to win, and it was the Aga Khan who made that dream a reality.

In 2009, as an 80th birthday present, the Aga Khan gifted Queen Elizabeth II with an unnamed foal.

That foal became Estimate – a horse that sealed Her Majesty’s fate as one of the most successful horse racing owners.

The Royal Family and the Aga Khan Family have been closely bonded through the thoroughbred.

Each year, there is usually a member of the family taking a seat in the carriage procession at Royal Ascot.

In recent years, this has been Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who will now likely inherit her father’s horse racing empire.

It is still unknown who the 50th Aga Khan will be – but there little doubt that their relationship with the Royal Family will continue to flourish.