King Charles hosted the Aga Khan at Windsor on Wednesday.
One year ago, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, ascended as the 50th Hereditary Ismaili Imam (Mawlana Hazar Imam/Aga Khan) of the global Shia Nizari Isma’ili Muslim community with an estimated following of around 12-15 million. The Ismaili Imamat is a “hereditary office in succession from the first Shia Imam, Hazrat Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad”, per the Ismaili.
Following the death of his father, the Aga Khan IV, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Prince Rahim was named the new Aga Khan with the previous Imam naming a successor in his will as per tradition.
Several days following his succession to the Imamate, King Charles III granted the title of “His Highness” to Prince Rahim. Buckingham Palace at the time said:
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.
On Wednesday, 4th February, the Aga Khan V marked the first anniversary of his accession by being hosted at Windsor Castle for a dinner also attended by members of the Aga Khan Family. The King and Aga Khan were pictured in the Castle’s Grand Corridor.
The Ismaili also noted:
Hazar Imam [Aga Khan V] is the Global Founding Patron of the King’s Trust, a charity that empowers young people to learn, earn and thrive. This partnership aims to improve opportunities for education, employment and enterprise, including in countries where the AKDN has a long-standing presence.
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.
The King and the Aga Khan most recently met in July 2023 during an audience at Buckingham Palace.
The black-tie evening on Wednesday saw King Charles wearing the usual Windsor Uniform—first worn by King George III in 1777—which consists of a dark blue tailcoat with iconic scarlet facings. The original, very ornate, uniform was abolished in 1936. The “undress” version is worn today, which was first introduced in 1798.
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