Celebrating the women of House of the Dragon

Rhaenys Targaryen (played by Eve Best)

Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is known to Westeros as “The Queen Who Never Was.” She is the daughter of Prince Aemon Targaryen and his cousin Lady Jocelyn Baratheon. Despite the law of primogeniture, Rhaenys’ claim to the throne was deemed weaker than her cousin Viserys’ because she is a woman; this sets a precedent often invoked by the Greens when supporting Aegon II over Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons.

Since childhood, Rhaenys showed all the abilities needed to rule; Good Queen Alysanne dies hoping that Rhaenys will one day become queen, while her husband King Jaehaerys dotes on his niece and even takes her on a royal progress with him. But ultimately he is not strong enough to name her his successor, leaving the choice to a council of lords which assembles at Harrenhal in 101 AC.

Rhaenys is fearless, clever and headstrong, and the richest woman in the Seven Kingdoms after the queen and crown princess. She is a great beauty and a fierce warrior, especially when riding her dragon Meleys the Red Queen. At 16, she marries Lord Corlys Velaryon, also known as the Sea Snake…and shows up to her wedding on dragonback. The two marry for love; Corlys claims only Rhaenys could have taken him away from his beloved sea.

Rhaenys is the mistress of Driftmark; throughout her life, she is the most powerful and rich woman in Westeros after only Rhaenyra Targaryen. Despite her claim to the throne being overlooked in favor of Viserys, Rhaenys is loyal to her family and to Rhaenyra, supporting her during the Targaryen civil war. On House of the Dragon, we’ll meet both her and Corlys when they’re in their middle years.

Alicent Hightower (played by Olivia Cooke and Emily Carey)

Lady Alicent Hightower is the daughter of Ser Otto Hightower. Given her father’s most prominent position as Hand of the King, she lives at court in King’s Landing, where she catches the eye of King Viserys. In 106 AC, the two marry and she becomes Queen.

Comely, cunning and ambitious, Queen Alicent is never particularly beloved by people at court or the smallfolk, but she is clever and always plays her cards well. Her family’s wealth and position give her an enormous advantage, and she always surrounds herself with the right supporters.

Her initially petty rivalry with Princess Rhaenyra starts out of her own jealousy; she wants to be first in the eye of the king. Still, the two get along well until the succession crisis. Alicent backs her son by the king, Aegon, leading to a civil war that will eventually lead to the death of the dragons in Westeros.

Queen Alicent often wears green garments as a reminder of her Hightower heritage. One particular green dress is what gives her faction the name of “the greens.” Alicent is exceptionally determined and proud; she is not above playing dirty to achieve her goals.