A tribute to Aga Khan IV

It is with sadness that Will Travers OBE and Dame Virginia McKenna DBE recognise the passing of His Highness Prince Karim al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV, on the 4th February 2025.

Although we did not personally know the Aga Khan, Virginia, Born Free, and I had a long professional and deep personal relationship with his uncle, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, an animal and environmental champion, who passed away in 2003. We are still in touch with Prince Sadruddin’s widow, Princess Catherine Sursock, and other members of the family.

The Aga Khan was not only the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims but, like his uncle, a profound philanthropist who, through his Aga Khan Development Network, invested in education, health, the environment, civil society, food security, and more issues.

Virginia and I want to express our deepest condolences to the family of the Aga Khan, all with whom he worked, those who followed his religious leadership, and the many partners who worked on humanitarian causes as part of his Network.

– Will Travers OBE and Dame Virginia McKenna