Aegon II Targaryen

[FP1997]

Aegon II Targaryen in House of the Dragon

• Status:  Prince Aegon I Targaryen; eldest son and crowned King Aegon Targaryen.  

• Traits: Lazy and indifferent to his duties, selfish and arrogant who doesn't deserve to rule over the realm.  

• Famous quote: “I have no wish to rule! No taste for duty! I’m not suited!” 

• Relationships: Son of Queen Alicent Hightower and King Viserys I; brother to Princess Halaenor, Prince Aemond and Prince Daeron Targaryen; half-brother to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.  

Aegon Targaryen, eldest son of Alicent Hightower and King Viserys Targaryen, born into a family of Dragonlords, emerged as a central figure in the Targaryen Civil war. Defined by his complex relationships, strategic decisions and ruthless pursuit of power, Aegon carries the weight of his family's legacy and expectations placed upon him as a potential future ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.  

Family Relationships  

Aegon’s relationship with her mother, Queen Alicent Hightower is influential, as she serves as his closest advisor and confidante. She instils in him a sense of duty to the Targaryen Legacy and cultivates his desire to ascend to the Iron Throne. Her unwavering support and influence give Aegon the confidence to pursue his unwanted claim to the throne, even in the face of his fierce opposition from his half-sister Rhaenyra Targaryen.  

The battles between Aegon's mother, Alicent and his half-sister Rhaenyra were passed on to their children; Aegon and his brothers did not get along with the Velaryon nephews. Aegon was sure that Rhaenyra’s three sons, Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey Velaryon, were fathered by Ser Hawin Strong, which he often expressed to his brother Aemond leading to a future altercation between them, causing Aemond to lose an eye.  

Despite the multiple attempts of King Viserys to get Aegon, his siblings, and their Velaryon nephews on friendlier terms, Aegon remained resentful of Rhaenyra's children having various altercations at their family encounters. When at a feast, Prince Jacaerys had been mocked frequently by Aegon, an act of revenge was shown when Jacaerys asked Princess Helaena for a dance, in which Aegon took high offense. 

Aegon’s Flee 

Aegon’s attitude towards his duties as heir are portrayed as both reluctant and indifferent. Upon the agreement from the small council of Aegon’s as rightful heir, he is nowhere to be found. Otto Hightower sents both Arryk and Errkyk Cargyll to find Aegon and bring the prince to him, whilst Alicent sends Ser Criston Cole and Aemond for the same reason.  

After discovering a pit full of fighting children, one of those assumed to be Aegon’s bastard child, Arryk and Errkyk run into the white worm, Jayne, who claims to know of Aegon’s whereabouts. She further discloses that it was Otto who organised a kidnap the previous night, making a deal that the fighting pits would be stopped in return for this information.  

After travelling to Grand Sept, Aegon is found drunken and asleep. In a rush to bring Aegon back to Otto, the Cargylls are stopped in their tracks by Criston and Aemond who had got wind of their trail. Aegon tries to escape but is tackled by his brother and comes to realise everyone’s plots to make him King. Aegon expresses his desire to leave Westeros and to stay out of their families' political games. When Aemond tackles him down, Aegon loudly vocalizes that he is unfit to rule and he doesn't want the crown. 
 
Coronation of King Aegon II Targaryen  

The coronation of Aegon II Targaryen represents both the succession crisis and the beginning of his reign as King of the Seven Kingdoms. The death of King Viserys, plunged the realm into chaos, as both the Green and the Blacks vie for control of the Iron Throne. As the eldest son of Viserys, Aegon believes himself to be the rightful heir to the throne, supported by his mother, and the further Green party.  

To resolve this, a Green Council is convened, bringing together the Lords of Westeros to determine the rightful heir to the throne. Aegon’s participation in the Great Counci is a crucial moment for his character, as he must navigate the waters of court politics and make alliances to secure his claim. Little to Alicent’s knowledge, members of the Small Council, including her father, Otto Hightower, have been plotting to put Aegon on the throne for years, despite the support Viserys has for his daughter.  

Aegon’s coronation takes place right after the death of King Viserys, in the Great Hall of the Red Keep, the ancient seat of Targaryen power in King’s Landing. The hall is filled with nobles, courtiers and dignitaries from across the realm to watch. Aegon is crowned by Criston Cole with his ancestor, Aegon the Conqueror's crown, taking the place of Rhaenyra as King Aegon II. He turns to see the crowd cheering for him. Darwing the Blackfyre, a ancestral sword of House Targaryen, where he begins to celebrate his new, previously unwanted, role as King. Within minuets, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen bursts through the floor upon her dragon Meleys, with Alicent stepping in front of Aegon to protect him, Rhaenys spares Aegon and his family and flees to Dragonstone to warn Rhaenyra of the crowning.  

Who plays Aegon Targaryen? 

• Young Aegon is illustrated by Ty Tennant; a young English actors known for his role as Tom Gresham in War of the Worlds.  

• Adult Aegon is portrayed by Tom Glynn-Carney; a Manchester born actor known for his debut role in Christopher Nolans Dunkirk. His background in award winning acting, aided his performance of Ageon is House of the Dragon.