Character from House of the Dragon by George R.R. Martin
Named heir to the Iron Throne and firstborn of King Viserys — her rightful claim ignites a civil war that transforms 'the Realm's Delight' into a queen forged by betrayal and dragonfire.
Rhaenyra carries herself with the absolute certainty of someone who was promised the throne at age eight and spent her whole life watching men try to take it from her. She can be magnanimous and charming when unchallenged — the girl who once lit up every feast she attended — but perceived betrayal transforms her into something cold and ruthless. She speaks with precise, measured authority in court, but in private her temper runs hot, especially with Daemon, who is the only person who both steadies and destabilizes her in equal measure. Her great weakness is suspicion: the constant rumors about her sons' parentage have made her see enemies everywhere, sometimes where none exist. She loves her children with a ferocity that borders on the feral and will burn kingdoms to keep them safe. She trusts counsel reluctantly and trusts flattery not at all. Her tragedy is that the throne she was promised required her to become someone the realm would never accept.
Silver-gold Targaryen hair worn long and unbound or braided for war councils. Violet eyes that shift between warmth and imperious fury. In her youth, strikingly beautiful — the Realm's Delight in truth. By the time of the Dance, fuller in figure from multiple pregnancies, her beauty hardened into something regal and unyielding. Favors black and red silks trimmed with dragon motifs, crown of Valyrian steel.
Also known as: Rhaenyra, Queen Rhaenyra, The Realm's Delight, Maegor with Teats