Who is the father of Rhaenyra’s children in House of the Dragon?

I’m sure fans will have a lot of questions coming out of the new episode of House of the Dragon, “The Princess and the Queen,” which starts up after a 10-year time jump into the future. Of course, Rhaenyra Targaryen is still one of the most important characters, as is Alicent Hightower, but both are now played by new actors. With all the years that have passed, it’s not surprising there are new conflicts in Westeros and new scandals afoot.

After the preview for Episode 6 was released last week, fans who have not read Fire & Blood realized one thing: despite Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) getting married to Laenor Velaryon (John MacMillan) and starting a family, there’s a chance their children were fathered by someone else. But who could it be? Daemon (Matt Smith) could be a good guess, but Rhaenyra’s sons in the trailer do not have that signature Targaryen white-blonde hair.

With Rhaenyra’s relationship with Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) seemingly over for good, it’s a mystery. Until you watch Episode 6, that is.

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon Episode 6!

“The Princess and the Queen” opens up with Rhaenyra giving birth to her third child, another boy. Laenor decides they’ll name him Joffrey after his late lover who Criston beat to death right before he and Rhaenyra wed. When King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and Alicent meet the baby, Alicent is quick to discreetly comment that the child does not look like Laenor. This is the third son who does not favor his presumed father, which would be suspicious to anyone with half a brain. But Viserys doesn’t want to hear it. He’s likely in denial.

Throughout Episode 6, comments like these continue to be uttered and it becomes apparent that a lot of people don’t believe Laenor is the father of Rhaenyra’s kids. So let’s finally get to the answer. Who is the real dad?

Is Harwin Strong the father of Rhaenyra’s sons?

The episode doesn’t really beat around the bush when revealing that Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) is the father of Rhaenyra’s children. He’s there soon after baby Joffrey is born so he can meet him, and later on in the episode Jacaerys (Leo Hart) even asks his mom if Harwin is his real dad. “You’re a Targaryen, that’s all that matters,” is the answer Rhaenyra gives.

But what really seals the deal is the fight that breaks out between Harwin and Criston. This happens when Criston is giving sword-fighting lessons to Alicent and Rhaenyra’s sons, which Harwin happens to also want to help out with. Criston assumes the truth and taunts Harwin over it. This understandably angers Harwin, who starts punching and beating up Criston. He has to be dragged away as he yells, “Say it again!”

Criston sees this incident as a confession that Harwin is the father of Rhaenyra’s kids, and it’s not long before Harwin is expelled from the City Watch and sent back to Harrenhal by his father, Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes).

Rhaenyra and Harwin’s affair coming to light even forces Lyonel to try and quit as the Hand to the King. But when Lyonel refuses to say the real reason he wants to resign, Viserys doesn’t let him do it. Lyonel is feeling extremely guilty about the whole thing and can’t even speak of it aloud.

Sadly, before we get to see more of Harwin and Lyonel, they’re killed in a fire at Harrenhal that Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) arranges. Talk about a messed up family.

Now that Rhaenyra’s lover is dead and Daemon’s wife Laena (Nanna Blondell) is sadly gone too, I can only imagine what could happen next. There’s always a lot going on in House of the Dragon, so make sure you’re keeping up with us here at Winter is Coming.

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