Does Rhaenyra Become Queen in House of the Dragon?

Does Rhaenyra Become Queen in House of the Dragon
Credit: HBO

Does Rhaenyra Become Queen in House of the Dragon
Credit: HBO

House of the Dragon started off a bit slow but the ending of Season 1 set the scene for the civil war known as Dance of Dragons and most fans are on Rhaenyra's side. But does Rhaenyra become queen in House of the Dragon?

Rhaenyra's Claim

Does Rhaenyra Become Queen in House of the Dragon 1
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Credit: HBO

In the first episode of House of the Dragon, Rhaeynra is named heir to the iron throne after the death of her mother and baby brother - an event that led King Viserys to believe that he was never getting the son he'd hoped for.

Of course, it's possible that Rhaenyra was named heir not only because her father finally realized her merit but also because of his fallout with his opportunistic brother, Daemon who was heir apparent at the time.

When Viserys remarried -- with Rhaenyra's friend, Alicent Hightower no less -- he finally got a coveted male heir.

While Viserys honored his promise to Rhaenyra for as long as he lived, showing her special favor, his family was quick to dispute Rhaenyra's claim.

So, is the Iron Throne still in Rhaenyra's fate?

Attention: Major book spoilers below:

Does Rhaenyra Become Queen in House of the Dragon?

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The ending of House of the Dragon Season 1 sees Rhaenyra crowned in Dragonstone, but Aegon, her half-brother, is currently ruling the Seven Kingdoms.

Rhaenyra does reign but her claim is highly disputed and she never officially becomes queen.

In both the books and the HBO tv series, when King Viserys dies, his widow, Alicent Hightower, organizes a coup to make her own son king, even though Rhaenyra is still technically Viserys' chosen heir.

Rhaenyra, who is in Dragonstone at the time, proclaims herself Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

At first, she's willing to negotiate and avoid bloodshed, but when her son Lucerys gets killed in a conflict with Aemond, she becomes unyielding.

In the civil war that ensues, many Targaryens are killed, By the end of G. R. R. Martin's book, The Princess and the Queen, where the civil war unfolds, most of Rhaenyra and Alicent's sons are dead.

Does Rhaenyra Die?

Does Rhaenyra Die
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Credit: HBO

Rhaenyra herself is betrayed and executed, by Aegon, as Joffrey Baratheon notes in a House of the Dragon reference in Game of Thrones.

Ultimately, Rhaenyra's supporters place her remaining son on the Iron Throne where he reigns as Aegon III.

Of course, the show has already made some changes to the source material, so it remains to be seen how the above events will unfold there, or if they'll be changed in any way.

Fans might get some small satisfaction in knowing that one of Rhaenyra's children will reign, but many would much rather she got the throne for herself.

Related: 6 Must Read George RR. Martin Books

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