Rhaenyra Targaryen, played by Emma D'Arcy, delivers some of House of the Dragon's most memorable lines. Below are 4 of the best Rhaenyra Targaryen quotes from House of the Dragon, each with the scene or episode where it appears, plus 4 pieces of trivia about the character.
Best Rhaenyra Targaryen Quotes
"I would be a good ruler. I know I would. I know it."
— Rhaenyra Targaryen, Season 1, Episode 1 - The Heirs of the Dragon
"They will not see me cry."
— Rhaenyra Targaryen, Season 1, Episode 6 - The Princess and the Queen
"I would rather die than betray my sons."
— Rhaenyra Targaryen, Season 2, Episode 4 - The Red Dragon and the Gold
"I am the rightful heir. My father's word is law."
— Rhaenyra Targaryen, Season 1, Episode 9 - The Green Council
Rhaenyra Targaryen Trivia & Fun Facts
- Rhaenyra was named her father Viserys I's heir when he had no male children, making her the first woman formally designated as the heir to the Iron Throne.
- She bonds with and rides the dragon Syrax throughout the series, and later her son Jace rides Vermax, reflecting the Targaryen tradition of dragonriding dynasties.
- Her marriage to Laenor Velaryon is widely known to be a political arrangement, and her three sons are widely believed — correctly — to be fathered by Harwin Strong.
- Milly Alcock portrays the young Rhaenyra in Season 1 before Emma D'Arcy takes over as the adult version, with both performances earning wide critical acclaim.
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Read the full Rhaenyra Targaryen character profile or browse all House of the Dragon quotes.