King Charles granted on Monday Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan the title ‘His Highness’ to mark the latter’s accession as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community.

“Tradition of the title being accorded by the Monarch to the Ismaili Imams dates back to the first Aga Khan,” a statement from The King said.

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini was named the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community “following the unsealing of the Will of his late father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV.”

The Aga Khan IV passed away on February 4, surrounded by family in Lisbon, Portugal. He was 88. On Saturday, the funeral ceremony for the late Ismaili imam was held at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon.

The Aga Khan IV was laid to rest at a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt on Sunday.

The Aswan governor facilitated and participated in a procession through the city to the banks of the River Nile. The late imam’s casket was transferred by boat in a ceremonial crossing to the mausoleum of Shia Ismaili’s 48th spiritual leader Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah. “The janaza (casket) was carried by hand to the hilltop mausoleum, where Shah Karim’s body was interred.”

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,” it said.

Also, read this

President Zardari calls on Prince Rahim to offer condolences over death of Aga Khan IV

In pictures: Funeral ceremony of Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV

In pictures: Aga Khan IV, late leader of Ismailis, laid to rest in Egypt’s Aswan

According to the statement, 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 nine 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.”