Highlights
- Jacaerys Velaryon is a king in the making, wise enough to listen to counsel and assert authority when needed.
- Aemond Targaryen’s commanding presence and thirst for power make him a strong contender for the throne.
- Rhaenys Targaryen, known as “The Queen Who Never Was,” possesses the qualities of a capable ruler with a strong claim to the throne.
House of the Dragon and the Dance of Dragons that it depicts, is essentially a civil war between rival Targaryen factions, with supporters of Rhaenyra on one side, and supporters of Aegon on the other. However, just because these two characters have the best claim to the Iron Throne through right of blood doesn’t mean they are the ones best suited to rule.
In fact, many characters in House of the Dragon would make good kings or queens. These characters can be found on both sides of the Dance, or even among those with no real allegiance. Furthermore, while some of these would-be-great-rulers are somewhere in the line for succession, others have no royal blood at all.
1 Jacaerys Velaryon
Jace Is Diligent, Honorable, & Listens To Wise Counsel
- Portrayed by: Harry Collett
Throughout the last few episodes of Season 1, Jacaerys Velaryon showed himself to be a king in the making. He is dedicated to his studies and self-improvement, honorable and courteous, and yet Jace also has a backbone, standing up to those who offend him or his family.
Most importantly, however, Jacaerys listens to the counsel of his elders, one of the most important traits of a ruler. He does this both out of his wisdom and out of loyalty to his mother, for example. While at times he may suffer the rash surges of anger for which a boy on the edge of manhood can be excused, he quickly curtails these feelings and regains composure. As an elder brother, he shows himself to be a natural leader and is not scared to stand up to Daemon and command that his mother’s wishes would be obeyed.
2 Aemond Targaryen
Aemond Would Command Obedience As A King & Has Studied To Become One
- Portrayed by: Ewan Mitchell
While Aemond Targaryen certainly has his flaws, it’s hard to deny that he would have made a good king in the unfortunately brutal realm of Westeros. In his own words, Aemond should have been king instead of his brother because it is he who trains with the sword, and studies history and philosophy. Aemond not only knows that he would make a good king but also has the will and want to rule, which his brother lacks entirely.
His presence and speech ooze authority, the like of which commands obedience, a useful trait in a fractured realm. From atop the Iron Throne or the largest living dragon, Vhagar, few would be brave enough to defy Aemond. As a man of action, Aemond would do his duty and tackle problems head-on, in contrast to his father, King Viserys, who would often shy away from rifts, causing further problems down the line.
3 Rhaenys Targaryen
Rhaenys Is Known As The Queen Who Never Was
- Portrayed by: Eve Best
Rhaenys Targaryen is not only a character who would have made a good queen but in fact, one who very nearly was queen. Her father Aemon had been the heir to King Jaehaerys, but upon Aemon’s death, his younger brother Baelon was named heir instead of her, and eventually, the crown would pass to Baelon’s son Viserys, instead of Rhaenys and her line. For this, she was given the moniker “The Queen Who Never Was.”
Beyond her very strong claim to the throne, Rhaenys has all the makings of a ruler. She is smart, level-headed, and has a certain presence that demands respect. Even Alicent, an erstwhile opponent of hers, agreed that Rhaenys should have been queen. Furthermore, with her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon, by her side as king-consort, the realm would have been in capable hands.
4 Lyonel Strong
Lyonel Was A Loyal Servant Of The Realm
- Portrayed by: Gavin Spokes
Amid the continuous power struggles and schemes, there are a handful of selfless characters in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. Lord Lyonel Strong, head of House Strong, is one of these characters and served Viserys and the realm faithfully during his time on the Small Council and as Hand of the King.
As a wise and honest man, with knowledge of the governance of a kingdom as large as Westeros, Lyonel would have made a good king. The only problem with Lyonel Strong as king is that although he would have had a good heir in Ser Harwin, his second son would have had even more reason to murder them both and take the throne for himself.
5 Alicent Hightower
Alicent Practically Ruled As Queen For Many Years
- Portrayed by: Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke
While Alicent Hightower was the queen consort of King Viserys and went on to become the queen mother of Aegon II, she could never be the queen in her own right. However, Alicent would likely have been a good queen. She proved this in the many years that she effectively ruled the kingdom as her husband’s health slowly deteriorated.
Alicent is intelligent, politically aware, and kind of heart, and yet she also has a fire within her that is required to rule a realm such as Westeros. Unlike other members of The Greens, she wishes for peace and stability, something a king or queen should always try and prioritize.
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