House of the Dragon – Who Is George R R Martin’s Favorite Targaryen?

House of the Dragon looks back to the turbulent Targaryen reign before the events of Game of Thrones, reigniting the struggle for the Iron Throne. The struggle for control of the Seven Kingdoms has once again erupted into bloodshed and drama, with multiple factions insisting on their divine right to the throne. Prince Daemon Targaryen, for one, considers himself a potential heir to the throne.

In an interview, George R. R. Martin revealed that Prince Daemon Targaryen was his dynasty’s favorite member.

I’m notorious for my love of grey characters and one of the greyest characters in the entire history of Westeros is Daemon Targaryen, the Rogue Prince

Find out who this fiery would-be king is, if he has any claim to the throne, and what you can anticipate from him in House of the Dragon with our handy introduction.

Prince Daemon’s history

Prince Daemon Targaryen, one of the more nuanced characters in House of the Dragon, is played by Matt Smith.

A grandson of the Old King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, he is the second son of Prince Baelon Targaryen and the brother of King Viserys. Daemon was knighted by his grandpa at the age of 16 and handed one of two ancient swords of House Targaryen, Dark Sister, for his skill as a fighter. After Daemon’s own plans for ascending to the throne are thwarted, he changes his mind about supporting Viserys’s bid for the Iron Throne.

After a stint as Master of Coin and Master of Laws, Daemon finally found fulfillment in his role as Commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing. However, being in charge of an army was risky business for a man who could turn on a dime, so he was removed from that position.

Since Daemon was Viserys’ younger brother and the King never had a son with Queen Aemma, he always assumed that he would eventually ascend to the Iron Throne. But Hand of the King Otto Hightower made his opinion known, advising Viserys that his daughter, Princess Rhaenrya Targaryen, should succeed him as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.