A Complicated Family Tree — How Is Rhaenyra Targaryen Related to Daenerys? (SPOILERS)

Aug. 28 2022, Published 12:00 p.m. ET

After three lengthy years, audiences had been ward off into the very familiar global of Westeros with House of the Dragon — even if now audience are following Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, portrayed by Milly Alcock, as an alternative of Emilia Clarke's Daenerys Targaryen.

As we additionally be informed in the Season 1 premiere, this tale takes place 172 years prior to the birth of the Mother of Dragons herself, so naturally, fanatics are curious about the Targaryen family tree.

So, how is Rhaenyra Targaryen related to Daenerys?

While there are more than a few timelines circulating the internet relating to the Targaryen family tree, the commonplace consensus is that Daenerys is a distant niece of Rhaenyra.

Thus far, House of the Dragon has established fairly a bit regarding Rhaenyra's circle of relatives and the unfortunate tragedies that experience befallen them, including the loss of her mother, Aemma Arryn, and brother, Baelon.

Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), her uncle, brings scenes of brutality, arrogance, and a warrior's mentality as commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing.

We also see the first feminine be named inheritor to the throne when King Viserys I chooses Rhaenyra to be successful him, reaching what Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best), differently referred to as “The Queen Who Never Was,” didn't.

Does Princess Rhaenyra change into Queen? Spoilers ahead!

It’s sophisticated. While Rhaenyra is the heir to the throne, her claim is observed as illegitimate as a result of she is not a man. While she is away expecting the start of her 6th child, her half-brother Aegon II is crowned king upon the dying of her father, King Viserys I.

In mourning, Rhaenyra organizes a coronation of her own in Dragonstone. This would ignite the Targaryen civil warfare known as the "Dance of Dragons."

Similarly, although Daenerys is the handiest living heir to King Aerys II, her declare to the throne is also doubted. Both of those characters are forced to fight for something that they really feel is rightfully theirs.

For Daenerys, Robert’s Rebellion noticed her father overthrown and killed by way of his personal Kingsguard in Jamie Lannister, forcing her and her brother, Viserys, into hiding.

Rather than focus on whether or now not Rhaenyra turns into queen, the focus must as an alternative be on her journey to reclaim the crown and the lengths she goes to in order to make that a truth for herself. Unlike Daenerys, for the most phase, Rhaenyra’s compassion does not always prevail in that regard.

Many occasions, we saw Daenerys have the opportunity to rule a folks however make a choice to unfastened them as a substitute. It can be fascinating to see how audiences react to the approach Rhaenyra handles acts of disloyalty when put next to Daenerys.

One thing that is essential to word is that Rhaenyra had familial enhance early on as a princess and, sooner or later, as a self-coronated queen.

Aside from her brother Viserys who handled her horribly, Daenerys had no other Targaryen through her facet till we learn of Jon Snow’s true lineage. While each characters enjoy tough and bloodied paths to the throne, Daenerys’ is the maximum lonely from that point of view.

Tragedy, unfortunately, is a normal incidence for Rhaenyra and Daenerys as their tales progress. Losing family members, preventing circle of relatives, and ultimately dropping oneself. As Cersei Lannister mentioned, “When you play the recreation of thrones, you win or you die.”

Watch House of the Dragon Sundays at Nine p.m. EST on HBO.

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