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Here's How Daemon Targaryen is Related to Daenerys

Here's How Daemon Targaryen is Related to Daenerys
Image credit: Legion-Media

Incestual relationships make the Targaryen family tree one that is complex in nature and pretty tough to follow.

But getting to grips with how some of the key characters in House of the Dragon are related to big names from Game of Thrones can help fans understand this most complicated of families and chart the family tree.

Daemon is a major character in the new prequel series, House of the Dragon, and it seems only right and proper that he should be somehow connected to the Daenerys, also known as Stormborn and Dany.

So, how is Daemon Targaryen related to Daenerys?

In essence, he is her great-great-great-great-great-great-great uncle. But does that clear it up? Not really. After all, if you look hard enough, it's surprising just how many familial links are interconnected as you make your way through the branches of the Targaryen family tree.

Then, let's take a look at the generations that separate them and add a bit of context.

Even by Targaryen standards, Daemon (played in House of the Dragon by former Dr Who actor Matt Smith ) has a pretty messy marital history. He had three marriages and quite a number of children. But the important relationship, connecting him to the Mother of Dragons, is his third marriage.

You won't be surprised to hear that Daemon and his third wife, Rhaenyra, were in fact related well before they tied the knot. Indeed, Rhaenyra, the daughter of King Viserys I Targaryen (elder brother of Daemon) became Daemon's niece-wife when they were married. The couple had two sons and a stillborn daughter.

The sons were named Aegon the Younger and Viserys. And it was Viserys, along with his wife Rogare, who created the line that would lead to Daenerys after several generations of marriages and children. Seven generations after King Viserys I Targaryen's nephew Prince Viserys was born, Daenerys, the only daughter of King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhallea was born. And her older brothers were called Rhaegar and Viserys Targaryen. So, the name Viserys is one that has accompanied the line and gives us the first glimpse of a link between Daemon and Daenerys.

So, what does all this mean for the Targaryen family tree? Not a lot really. With so many generations separating them, as well as several reigning monarchs, the link is one of interest rather than relevance to the storyline.

But hey, since its dramatic entry into our lives, Westeros has been so much more than the setting for a TV show. And let's be honest, we all love to enhance our knowledge of this compelling fantasy world.