Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, a central figure in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood and the HBO series House of the Dragon, is a character defined by her strength, ambition, and tragic destiny. As the daughter of King Viserys I Targaryen, Rhaenyra’s life and claim to the Iron Throne are central to the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Rhaenyra is introduced as a highly ambitious and determined princess who, from a young age, is groomed to be the heir to the Iron Throne. Her claim to the throne is bolstered by her strong sense of entitlement and her father’s early declaration of her as his successor. This position, however, sets the stage for intense conflict within the Targaryen family, particularly with her half-brother Aegon II Targaryen, who also has a claim to the throne. Rhaenyra’s determination to secure her birthright becomes the driving force behind her actions and decisions throughout the series.