Why Princess Rhaenys Is The True Heir To Driftmark

House of the Dragon episode 8 sees the rise of Vaemond Velaryon as an adversary to Rhaenyra and Daemon. He opposes the blacks as he

By Chandraboli Majumdar
October 10,2022
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House of the Dragon episode 8 sees the rise of Vaemond Velaryon as an adversary to Rhaenyra and Daemon. He opposes the blacks as he aligns with Otto and Alicent Hightower. He challenges the claim of Lucerys Velaryon. However, Princess Rhaenys was present and refused to hand over Driftmark to Vaemond. While she wanted to put herself forward as the next heir, she backed the claim of Lucerys after striking a deal with Rhaenyra. Despite not being of Velaryon blood, Princess Rhaenys proves herself to be the only worthy heir to Driftmark. Here’s every reason why she should sit on the throne at High Tide.

King Viserys trusts her judgement

King Viserys asks Princess Rhaenys to chose the heir to Driftmark in House of the Dragon
King Viserys asks Princess Rhaenys to chose the heir to Driftmark

During the trials of succession to the throne of Driftmark, King Viserys sat on the throne one last time and took the matter into his hands. While the rest were pitching their parts, King Viserys reminded them all that there was one person present in the room who could put all this confusion to bed. That was Rhaenys Targaryen. Viserys correctly identified that there is no one who would know better about Lord Corlys’ succession than his wife Princess Rhaenys. After all, she did have a conversation with Lord Corlys in House of the Dragon episode 7 where they sorted out the matter of the heir. 

Princess Rhaenys is a born leader

She is a natural leader in House of the Dragon
She is a natural leader in House of the Dragon

Princess Rhaenys was always meant to sit on a throne. Despite being overlooked during King Jaehaerys’ great council for King Viserys, Princess Rhaenys never lost her edge. She is a strong, calculative and diplomatic woman who was born to be a leader. The people gave her the title of the Queen Who Never Was. In fact Princess Rhaenys still has a lot of goodwill and influence among the people of the realm. Her diplomatic tendencies have also obtained her alliances with other houses. She is a grown woman who would definitely know where to take Driftmark next. This is at least until Lucerys is old enough to take the reigns. In fact, Princess Rhaenys could take him under her wing just as she did Baela.

She cares about the Velaryon line far more than the others

Princess Rhaenys makes a deal with Rhaenyra to further the Velaryon line in House of the Dragon
Princess Rhaenys makes a deal with Rhaenyra to further the Velaryon line

There was one moment in episode 8 that showed just how much Princess Rhaenys cared about the Velaryon line. She wanted to uphold the legacy of her daughter Laena and her granddaughters Baela and Rhaena. While Vaemond was driven my pure ambition and hunger for power, Rhaenys had no such ulterior motive. All she wanted was the best for Driftmark. While she wanted to put herself forward as heir to Driftmark, she backed the claim of Lucerys when push came to shove.

This was because of the deal Rhaenys made with Princess Rhaenyra. In exchange for Lucerys becoming the heir to Driftmark, Rhaenyra proposed the marriage of Baela and Rhaena to her sons Jacaerys and Lucerys respectively. Princess Rhaenys knew there was no better way to cement the line of the Velaryons and Lady Laena’s than to accept the proposition. Instead of being consumed by pride and ambition, she chose a mutually benefitting alliance.

She has been by Lord Corlys’ side throughout

Princess Rhaenys opposes Vaemond Velaryon's claim in House of the Dragon
Princess Rhaenys opposes Vaemond Velaryon’s claim in House of the Dragon

While she may not have been on the frontlines of a battle, she was always by Lord Corlys’ side. She is perfectly capable of sitting on the throne and has clearly been doing so for the six years that her husband has been away at sea. Rhaenys has taken Baela under her wing and created a powerful hold at High Tide despite the absence of Lord Corlys.