Every Targaryen Claiming the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon Season 3, Ranked

House of the Dragon Season 3 is set to push the civil war into full-scale conflict as rival heirs battle for the future of Westeros. While some contenders wield fire and blood, others rely on diplomacy, but in the end, only one can sit on the Iron Throne.

The upcoming season promises another epic showdown between the Blacks and the Greens, and we’re ready for the full experience. Here’s every Targaryen with a claim to the Iron Throne in Season 3, ranked by the strength of their legitimacy and their overall chances of ruling.

7 Daeron Targaryen’s Courage Makes Him A Worthy Successor

We’re finally seeing Daeron in Season 3 after what feels like forever, and he will play a major role in the Green war effort after being formally introduced alongside his dragon, Tessarion, and the Hightower host.

He is not actively seeking the Iron Throne right now, since he is far down the line of succession as the third and youngest son of Viserys and Alicent. Daeron demonstrates courage and skill, which will later earn him his knighthood and the nickname Daeron the Daring.

His chance at taking the Iron Throne would come later in the story when Aegon II goes missing, and Aemond is killed in the Battle Above the Gods Eye. At that point, he becomes the Greens’ strongest remaining claimant to the Iron Throne.

6 Aegon III Targaryen Set to Inherit A Broken Kingdom

We do not see much of Aegon III in the series because he is still essentially a toddler. He is also far down the line of succession, so he is not an immediate claimant to the throne in Season 3. After an assassination attempt on Rhaenyra, she sent Aegon III, along with Viserys, Joffrey, and Rhaena, to the Eyrie.

Aegon III would later inherit the Iron Throne in the aftermath of the Dance of the Dragons. After a long and devastating war that shed so much blood, he succeeded Aegon II. As king, he kept the realm united, but he remained a joyless man because of the traumatic experiences he endured during the war.

5 Jacaerys Velaryon’s Claim Is Shadowed by His Parentage

Jacaerys is a clear claimant to the Iron Throne as the eldest son of Rhaenyra and her designated heir during the Dance of the Dragons. As her firstborn son, he is directly in the line of succession should Rhaenyra become queen in Season 3.

While he is undeniably a Targaryen through his mother, his claim is overshadowed by persistent rumors that he is not the biological son of Laenor Velaryon, raising doubts among many Westerosi nobles.

Jace also showed concern about the possibility of his claim being challenged in Season 2, when he questioned Rhaenyra’s decision to recruit dragonseeds and confronted her about Harwin Strong.

Even so, the young prince remains one of the strongest claimants to the Iron Throne because of his noble status, his place in the line of succession, and his position as Rhaenyra’s declared heir.

4 Aemond Targaryen Is Capable Yet Too Ruthless to Rule

Aemond is now the Prince Regent in Season 3 following Aegon II’s disappearance, and we will finally see him take over. If anything, he is a legitimate claimant to the throne since Prince Jaehaerys is already dead.

As a prince with Valyrian blood and the rider of Vhagar, he possesses the military power and prestige needed to enforce his claim if it were ever prioritized. He has an army at his disposal and knows more about politics than his brother.

However, his ruthlessness and iron hand have proven too much for many to accept, especially his actions that escalate violence during the Dance of the Dragons. While this makes him an effective warrior and enforcer for the Greens, it also raises doubts about whether he could rule justly or maintain stability as king.

3 Daemon Targaryen Has A Strong Claim But Too Risky to Be Trusted

As a seasoned warrior and dragonrider, Daemon has the strength and experience to enforce his claim. His royal blood and earlier position as heir presumptive also give him a historically strong theoretical claim within the dynasty. This became evident in the show when Daemon was grappling with his own ambition to rule and some people were urging him to take his place on the throne.

While Daemon has a very legitimate claim, his reputation somehow precedes him. He is too unpredictable and violent to make politically sane decisions. This is the very reason Viserys could not trust him to rule responsibly.

As a result, the Rogue Prince is seen as a powerful but dangerously unstable claimant whose strengths are matched by equally serious political risks.

2 Aegon II Targaryen Was Thrust Into Power by Custom

Aegon II is the ruling king in Westeros until his accident during the Battle at Rook’s Rest, which incapacitated him and left him confined to bed. Before the Dance, he had no intention of taking the Iron Throne, nor any enthusiasm for it. He was installed there by the Greens based on custom, as Viserys’ firstborn son.

Despite his protests, Aegon II learned to accept the responsibility. He has one of the strongest claims to rule since he has a dragon and an army, and several noble houses rallied to his side against Rhaenyra.

While he is often perceived as weak and politically inexperienced, Aegon II still holds legitimacy through tradition and the backing of powerful Green factions. However, his reign shows how a claim secured by custom does not guarantee effective leadership, especially since he lacks experience and wisdom.

1 Rhaenyra Targaryen Is The Named Heir to the Iron Throne

Rhaenyra undeniably has the strongest claim to the Iron Throne since Viserys officially named her his heir and repeatedly reaffirmed that decision during his reign. Her position is further supported by the oaths sworn by many lords of the realm to uphold her birthright.

In Season 3, she remains the central claimant for the Black faction as the civil war continues to challenge her right to rule. Despite widespread opposition, especially from the Greens, her claim is considered the most direct continuation of Viserys’ chosen succession.

Rhaenyra’s claim is strong on paper, as it comes directly from her father’s decision, but in practice, it is constantly tested by the realm’s preference for a male heir.

Targaryens With Claims to the Iron Throne	Descriptions
Daeron Targaryen	A brave and skilled dragonrider, but far down the line of succession.
Aegon III Targaryen	Ultimately, he inherits the throne after the Dance of the Dragons.
Jacaerys Velaryon	Proclaimed heir of Rhaenyra, but doubts about his parentage weaken his claim.
Aemond Targaryen	Prince Regent, capable of military strategy, but too ruthless to rule a kingdom.
Daemon Targaryen	A seasoned warrior and formerly heir presumptive, but too violent and unpredictable.
Aegon II Targaryen	Installed as king by custom as Viserys’ firstborn son.
Rhaenyra Targaryen	Viserys’ officially named heir, with the strongest claim, yet challenged by Westerosi tradition.

Who do you believe should sit on the Iron Throne? Let us know in the comments!

House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres on HBO on June 21, 2026.