King grants 'His Highness' title to Aga Khan V

A week after the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, King Charles III has granted the title of ‘His Highness’ to his son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V.

This honour follows Rahim’s appointment as his father’s successor, becoming the 50th Imam of the Shia Nizari Isma’ili Muslims. The announcement was made on the Royal Family’s official X page on Monday morning. 

“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’.”

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The monarchy typically grants titles to publicly recognise individuals for exceptional service to the crown, their country, or the community. Such titles symbolise loyalty, achievements, or contributions in various fields, including military valour, governance, the arts, or philanthropy, thus elevating their status in society.

In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Aga Khan IV the title “His Highness,” establishing a tradition of royal recognition for the Aga Khan lineage.

This lineage leads the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which focuses on various development initiatives and emphasizes leadership in both spiritual and developmental contexts. Rahim received the title just hours before his homage ceremony, where he was expected to follow traditional customs, officially take over, and engage with members of the Ismaili community.

An official statement confirmed that the ceremony would be private, taking place in Lisbon, Portugal.

“Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V will grant an audience to senior leaders of the Ismaili community, who will pledge their allegiance to the 50th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims on behalf of the global Ismaili community,” according to the Aga Khan Development Network.

Prince Rahim was named successor according to his father’s will.

The late Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88.

“According to AKDN, Prince Rahim is a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, who is recognised as an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. He descends from the Prophet’s daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and his cousin, Hazrat Ali.

“Throughout their 1,400-year history, the Ismailis have been led by a living, hereditary Imam. The Ismailis live in over 35 countries and number approximately 12 to 15 million,” explains AKDN.

On Sunday, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was laid to rest in a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt. Attendees included his son and successor, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th Ismaili Imam, along with close family members and global Ismaili community leaders.

The burial was conducted in accordance with Muslim rites, attended solely by men, with pallbearers dressed in white attire and turbans. They made their way to the staircase leading to the final resting place, transporting the casket by boat across a ceremonial crossing to a private area where Villa Nour El Salam and the mausoleum of Aga Khan III are located.

The body was carried by hand in a procession led by family members and interred in the existing mausoleum on a hill overlooking the Nile. Following the ceremonies, the Governor of Aswan, Major General Dr. Ismail Kamal, presented Prince Rahim Aga Khan V with a symbolic key to the City of Aswan as a mark of respect.

Historically, Egypt was the centre of the Fatimid Caliphate, governed by Ismaili Imams during the 10th and 11th centuries.

The Fatimid Imam-Caliphs founded Cairo, which became a significant centre for learning, culture, and trade.

Their support for pluralism, education, and the arts led to advancements in science, architecture, and philosophy, leaving a lasting legacy in the region’s rich history and culture.

“Aswan is the final resting place of Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III and his wife, Mata Salamat,” a press release from AKDN noted.

The AKDN, founded by the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for communities worldwide.

Through AKDN, the late Aga Khan IV established numerous institutions in Kenya, including the Aga Khan primary and secondary schools in Kisumu, Nairobi, and Mombasa, Aga Khan University, and the Aga Khan Hospitals Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) and Jubilee Insurance.

His wealth is estimated to be in the trillions of shillings, ranging from $800 million to $13 billion.

Aga Khan left behind investments that generate over Sh128 billion annually. His remarkable business acumen, which began at the age of 20 when he took over the reins from his grandfather in July 1957, enabled him to seize opportunities in Kenya, where he established facilities that continue to benefit Kenyans.