Noorani family

The Noorani family is a term used to refer to the immediate family of the Imām of the Nizari Ismāʿīli Shia Muslims, commonly known by the title of Aga Khan. By convention and custom its members and descendants in the male line are titled Prince and Princess, and as such it can be regarded as a royal family, although only the Aga Khan himself, as its head, is entitled to be referred to by the style of His Highness. Spoken style (second person, e.g. "His Highness" or "Your Highness")

The term Nur (light), is a core concept in Ismaili belief, representing the Divine-ilm (eternal knowledge) and guidance that the Imam possesses, signifies the inheritance of authority which, mentioned in the verses of the Holy Qur’an, ayat al-Nur (24:35)

To mark the accession of Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, upon his succession to the 1,400-years old family's dynasty, as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shi’a Nizari Isma'ili Muslims, and in accordance with long-standing tradition of the Ismaili Imams with the British Monarch, the style of His Highness was formally granted to the Aga Khan V by King Charles III on 10 February 2025, which shows a reflection of the strong relationship which has existed over time between both the Royal families.

The title of 'His Highness' was initially granted by the British Monarch to the Ismaili Imams dating back in mid 1800s, to the first Aga Khan, in recognition as a religious leader of global importance and his role as spiritual head of the Ismaili community resides in Commonwealth countries. Also accorded by Queen Victoria to Prince Aga Khan III in 1886. Just in one year, after his accession to the role of Imam, at that time the Aga Khan III was just 9 years old. The style of His Highness was formally granted to the Aga Khan IV by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 upon the death of his grandfather the Aga Khan III. It has continued to this day, being reconfirmed after each succession.

The titles Prince and Princess are used by the Aga Khans and their children by virtue of their descent from Shah Fath Ali Shah of the Persian Qajar dynasty. The title was officially recognised by the British government in 1938.

The Qajar monarch bestowed the honorific title (laqab) of Agha Khan (also transcribed as Aqa Khan, meaning lord and master...in due course simplified in Europe to Aga Khan), first time on Hasan Ali Shah (The Aga Khan I) at the age of thirteen when he as the young Imam with his mother decided to go to the Qajar court in Tehran to obtain justice upon his father's death and was eventually successful. Not only that, but the Persian king Fath Ali Shah gave his own daughter, princess Sarv-i-Jahan Khanum, in marriage to the young Imam Hasan Ali Shah and provided a princely dowry in land holdings in the Mahallat region. Daftary additionally commented, "The title of Agha Khan remained hereditary amongst his successors." Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini is the fifth Nizari imam who hold the title Aga Khan.