Is Daeron Targaryen a True Prince or a Secret Bastard in ‘House of the Dragon’?

Fans of ‘House of the Dragon’ have spent years analyzing hair color as a clue to parentage, and now it’s Daeron’s turn in the spotlight. Alicent’s youngest son made his onscreen debut in season three, and viewers quickly noticed a striking difference in his appearance compared to his silver-haired siblings.

This detail has reignited a long-standing debate about legitimacy within the Targaryen family, a topic that has plagued them since Rhaenyra’s children faced mockery for their dark curls. So, is Daeron truly a bastard hiding in plain sight, or is there a simpler explanation for his looks?

In ‘House of the Dragon,’ Daeron Targaryen is portrayed as the youngest son of Alicent and the late King Viserys. He grew up with the Hightowers in Oldtown rather than in King’s Landing alongside his siblings. As the fourthborn child and third son of King Viserys and Queen Alicent, he is the younger full brother of Prince Aegon, Princess Helaena, and Prince Aemond.

According to George R. R. Martin’s source material, ‘Fire & Blood,’ Daeron Targaryen is confirmed to be a trueborn Targaryen, with a dragon to validate his lineage. This detail is significant in this universe, as dragon riding has historically been seen as a marker of true Valyrian blood.

Daeron rides the dragon Tessarion, and his uncle describes him as kind, clever, and stalwart, skilled in both music and combat. While hair color shouldn’t define his character, it hasn’t stopped the internet from speculating.

One popular theory among fans suggests that Daeron’s dark hair indicates he was fathered during one of Criston Cole and Alicent’s rumored affairs, as both share dark hair. This theory adds an intriguing layer, especially considering the tension between Alicent and Cole throughout the series.

However, the evidence for this theory is limited, and the show may have diverged from the books by hinting that Daeron could be Cole’s son. Even if this were the case, it wouldn’t significantly enhance the plot, aside from highlighting Alicent’s hypocrisy in questioning the legitimacy of Rhaenyra’s sons based solely on their hair color.

As of season three, episode three, the show has yet to clarify why Daeron’s hair is dark. It’s worth noting that brown hair is a dominant gene in our world, suggesting Daeron may simply resemble his mother, Alicent. Another possibility is that his hair is dyed or a wig, intended to obscure his Targaryen identity while living among the Hightowers.

Unlike his siblings, Daeron was sent away from King’s Landing as an infant and raised as a ward in Oldtown, making him less familiar to the royal family. This separation set the stage for one of the season’s biggest twists.

In the episode “Rhaenyra Triumphant,” Daemon Targaryen forces Lord Ormund Hightower to surrender, and as part of the terms, Ormund must hand over young Prince Daeron as a ward, whose safety relies on Ormund’s good behavior.

Daeron remains silent during the exchange until it is revealed that he is actually an imposter, with the real Daeron safely with Ormund.

This twist marks a significant departure from ‘Fire & Blood,’ where Daeron is an active military asset for the Greens rather than a hidden figure. Critics have noted that this swap cleverly plays with the show’s portrayal of Archmaester Gyldayn’s account as an unreliable historical narrative.

Daeron is generally viewed as clever and capable, without the rash or sadistic tendencies exhibited by some other Targaryen children. Notably, he is the only member of Team Green shown riding a dragon in this conflict, raising the stakes regardless of his true parentage.

Later in the storyline, Daeron becomes embroiled in what history remembers as the Treasons of Tumbleton, when dragonriders Ulf and Hugh switch allegiances to the Hightower forces. The book suggests their motives stem from greed rather than cowardice, as honor means little to those driven by wealth and power.

Whether Daeron’s hair color is merely a genetic quirk or a plot point being subtly developed, his legitimacy remains intact according to the source material. The real drama appears to revolve around how far Team Green is willing to go to safeguard its remaining heirs.

What are your thoughts on Daeron’s hair, and would you be surprised if ‘House of the Dragon’ chose to reveal a genuine plot twist regarding his parentage in the future?