How are Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen related in Game of Thrones?
GAME Of Thrones’ two most popular protagonists Daenerys Targaryen, played by Emilia Clarke, and Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington, are a lot closer than they could ever have expected.
The Queen of Dragons and the White Wolf are blood relatives and the rest of Winterfell are sure to find out the truth soon. Here’s the lowdown on their relationship…
How is Daenerys related to Jon Snow and what does this mean for their characters?
Daenerys’ older brother Rhaegar – who died during a war with Robert Baratheon – secretly fathered Jon Snow with his wife Lyanna Stark, who died shortly after giving birth.
That makes Daenerys the aunt of Jon Snow.
To the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, it is commonly thought that Rhaegar had no heirs because his two children, Rhaenys and Aegon, were murdered by House of Lannister forces.
This means Daenerys – who will stop at nothing to claim the Iron Throne, forged by her grandfather – is now a rival of Jon, considering he is the secret heir to the throne.
Who is Rhaegar Targaryen?
Rhaegar was a much-sought after man in the seven kingdoms thanks to his violet eyes and his blonde hair.
He is the eldest Targaryen child, with a younger brother and sister – Viserys, who was killed in season one, and Daenerys.
His father was King Aerys II, and Rhae was named ‘Prince of Dragonstone’ and was first in line to the throne.
The warrior eventually married Elia Martell, the sister of the ill-fated Oberyn Martell, and together they had two children together.
However, on the orders of the ruthless Tywin Lannister, both children were killed in order to secure the Lannister claim to the throne.
The character was killed in battle by Robert Baratheon before the story of Game of Thrones started.
Who is Lyanna Stark?
Lyanna Stark was Ned Stark’s only sister.
She was engaged to Robert Baratheon, Ned’s best friend, but she was “kidnapped and raped” by Rhaegar.
Robert then went to war in order to try and get her back, but she died before they could be reunited.
“Robert started a war to win her back. He killed Rhaegar, but she died anyway,” Bran Stark explained in season one.
Fans now know that Lyanna fell in love with Rhaeger and the pair got secretly got married.
And they had a child together, the one and only Jon Snow. Or Aegon Targaryen as his mother actually named him.
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When does Game of Thrones Season 8 air next?
The next episode of Game of Thrones will air on Sunday April 28, 2019 at 9pm in the US.
It will be simulcast in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV on Monday, April 29 from 2am.
The episode will be repeated again in the UK at 9pm on Monday.
Episode Three will see the all-important battle of Winterfell take place as Jon and the gang try all they can to stop the Night King.