Warning: SPOILERS for House of the Dragon Episode 9 - "The Green Council" - And Future EpisodesEven though King Viserys (Paddy Considine) is dead, his crown will take on an even greater significance in House of the Dragon. As season 1 enters its endgame, the sides have been set for the Dance of the Dragons. Fueled by Ser Otto Hightower's (Rhys Ifans) ambitions, which were given credence by Queen Alicent's (Olivia Cooke) belief that Viserys' dying wish was for Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) to be King, the Hightowers usurped the Iron Throne.
However, Viserys' crown takes on new importance when it belongs to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy). Rhaenyra will have no choice but to declare war to press her claim to the Iron Throne and declare herself the new Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Of course, the Queen will need a crown and Rhaenyra will don the same headgear as her late father wore. Viserys' crown was last seen placed on his corpse by Alicent, but it will make its way to Rhaenyra on Dragonstone. Fittingly, both claimants to the Iron Throne have crowns that evoke the ancient strength of House Targaryen: Aegon wears his namesake, the Conqueror's, crown, while Rhaenyra will wear Viserys the Peaceful's crown, which will now be tied to Rhaenyra's fate in House of the Dragon.
Who Smuggles Viserys' Crown Out Of King's Landing
As House of the Dragon episode 10's trailer shows, Viserys' crown is presented to Rhaenyra by Ser Erryk Cargyll (Elliott Tittensor). Erryk was Prince Aegon's sworn shield, but he hated Alicent's eldest son and thinks him unfit to be King, not incorrectly. Erryk abandoned the Kingsguard and his twin brother, Arryk (Luke Tittensor), in favor of supporting Rhaenyra. It was Ser Erryk who smuggled Rhaenys out of Dragonstone, and he must have also swiped Viserys' crown when he made his escape to Dragonstone to join Rhaenyra's side.
Why Viserys' Crown Is Important For Rhaenyra
It's perfect symmetry that Rhaenyra should wear Viserys' crown. This shows a direct continuity between father and daughter, and it reinforces Viserys' unwavering belief (in spite of what Alicent thought she heard) that Rhaenyra would always be his named heir to the Iron Throne. Viserys also loved Rhaenyra more than any of his other children, and likely more than he loved Alicent. If Viserys had a choice, there's little doubt he would have wanted Queen Rhaenyra to wear his crown.
Similarly, Alicent's symbolic choice for King Aegon II to wear the crown of the Conqueror and carry his sword, Blackfyre, is also shrewd. Alicent knows better than anyone her son is an "imbecile," but she designed a public coronation meant to elevate Aegon as the symbolic successor to not just Viserys but Aegon the Conqueror himself. The Hightowers' public relations move worked, and the people cheered King Aegon until Rhaenys (Eve Best) and her dragon, Meleys wrecked the Dragonpit.
Viserys' Crown Has A Connection To Rhaenyra's Death
Warning: Possible SPOILERS for Future House of the Dragon EpisodesSadly, Viserys' crown becomes a prize Rhaenyra must abandon in future episodes of House of the Dragon. According to George R.R. Martin's source material, Fire and Blood, Rhaenyra and her Black faction do return to King's Landing and take over the city. Queen Rhaenyra does sit on the Iron Throne, but her reign is tragically brief. The Greens eventually retake King's Landing and force Rhaenyra to flee for her life. She sells Viserys' crown for passage back to Dragonstone. Tragically, Rhaenyra finds no safety on the island as Aegon and death await her there. Of course, House of the Dragon may change what actually happens, but Viserys' crown ultimately becomes a symbol of Rhaenyra's failure as Queen, and leads to her demise.
House of the Dragon airs Sundays @ 9pm ET on HBO and streams on HBO Max.