King Charles Hosts Aga Khan V At Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle played host to a rare and significant event on the evening of February 4, 2026, as King Charles III welcomed the Aga Khan V, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, for a private black tie dinner marking the first anniversary of the spiritual leader’s accession. The gathering, which unfolded in the castle’s historic Grand Corridor, was attended by members of the Aga Khan’s family and underscored a centuries-old relationship between the British monarchy and the Ismaili Imamat.

The occasion was steeped in tradition and symbolism. King Charles, 77, donned his distinctive Windsor Coat dinner jacket with its scarlet collar and cuffs—a sartorial nod to royal customs dating back to George III in 1779. According to The Independent, this uniform is reserved for male members of the royal family and select household members at castle events requiring evening dress. It was a fitting tribute to the significance of the evening and the stature of his guest.

Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, now the 50th hereditary Imam of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims, inherited the title on February 4, 2025, following the death of his father, Prince Karim al-Husayni, Aga Khan IV. The King granted the new Aga Khan the title “His Highness” soon after, continuing a long-standing royal tradition. As reported by PA, the two men were photographed side by side, a testament to the enduring bond forged over decades between the House of Windsor and the Aga Khan family.

The dinner was more than a ceremonial gesture. It was a moment to honor the legacy of the late Aga Khan IV, a billionaire philanthropist and close friend of both King Charles and Queen Elizabeth II. The late Aga Khan—described by Vanity Fair as one of the world’s most well-connected royals—shared a passion for horse racing with the late monarch, often watching Royal Ascot together. He owned Shergar, the legendary Derby-winning racehorse kidnapped from his Irish stud farm in 1983 and never recovered, a story that remains one of racing’s great mysteries.

King Charles expressed his personal sorrow at the passing of Aga Khan IV, stating he was “deeply saddened” and reaching out to the family with condolences, according to PA. The late Imam’s influence extended well beyond the royal circle. As the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, he was responsible for the material and spiritual needs of his followers across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. His projects, notably through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), benefited people of all faiths. The network, a vast philanthropic empire employing 80,000 people in 30 countries, operates hundreds of hospitals, educational institutions, and cultural initiatives, particularly in developing nations. Forbes estimated his fortune at $1 billion (£801 million) in 2008, though other sources cited even greater wealth.

The new Aga Khan, Prince Rahim, brings a blend of East and West to his role. Half-British and based in Switzerland, he was educated in the United States and has two sons with his ex-wife, American model Kendra Spears (Princess Salwa Aga Khan). His mother, Princess Salimah, was formerly Sarah Croker Poole before marrying Prince Karim. Prince Rahim has extensive experience within the AKDN, having chaired its Environment and Climate Committee. The organization’s website highlights his commitment to “protecting the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change,” with a particular focus on “addressing the needs of those living in the greatest poverty.”

During his current visit to Britain, the Aga Khan V has held meetings with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, demonstrating the continued diplomatic and philanthropic engagement of the Imamat. The dinner at Windsor Castle offered a more regal setting, but it was also an opportunity for the Aga Khan to thank the King for bestowing the title “His Highness” last year, according to an insider cited by PA.

The Ismaili Muslim community, a branch of Shia Islam, reveres its hereditary Imams as direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad and treats them as heads of state. The title Aga Khan itself was granted in the 1830s by the Emperor of Persia to Karim’s great-great-grandfather, establishing a lineage that has navigated dramatic changes in world history. When Prince Karim became Imam in 1957 at the age of 20, his grandfather explained in his will that “in view of the altered conditions in the world in very recent years, including the discoveries of atomic sciences, I am convinced that it is in the best interest of the Shia Muslim Ismailian Community that I should be succeeded by a young man.”

Prince Rahim’s succession, while expected, signals a new era for the Ismaili community. His first official international engagement as Aga Khan V took place in July 2025, when he met President Macron in France to discuss politics, aid, and international collaboration. The Ismailis, numbering about 15 million worldwide—including 500,000 in Pakistan and large communities in India, Afghanistan, and parts of Africa—continue to look to their Imam for guidance both spiritual and practical.

For the British monarchy, the relationship with the Aga Khan family has been marked by mutual respect and shared interests. Both King Charles and the Aga Khan V are passionate advocates for sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Their discussions at Windsor Castle likely touched on these pressing global issues, as well as the ongoing work of the AKDN.

The late Aga Khan IV was renowned for bridging divides—between the spiritual and material, East and West, Muslim and Christian. He possessed fabled wealth, with homes and properties across the globe, and was often received like a head of state despite holding no political territory. His principal residence, the palace of Aiglemont in Gouvieux, north of Paris, was both a family home and the nerve center of his philanthropic activities.

The black tie dinner at Windsor Castle, while private and understated, was a powerful symbol of continuity and friendship. It honored a tradition of engagement between two influential dynasties, each with its own global responsibilities and reach. As the world faces mounting challenges—from poverty to climate change—the partnership between the British monarchy and the Ismaili Imamat remains a beacon of cooperation and hope.

In the candlelit halls of Windsor, history and modernity converged, reaffirming a bond that has weathered the tests of time and change. The evening was not just a celebration of an accession—it was a reminder of the enduring power of leadership, legacy, and shared purpose in an ever-shifting world.