Everyone in Westeros seems to have three names, a dead relative, and a tragic backstory, but “Egg” might be the strangest nickname in the entire Targaryen family tree.
A silver-haired prince who let people call him after breakfast food? There’s a story there, and it’s a good one.
Egg pops up in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms long before Game of Thrones fans meet the Targaryens they know, and his path from disguised squire to king ties directly into names like Jon Snow, Daenerys, and the Mad King.
This blog answers who Egg really is, how he’s connected to everyone, and why his story still echoes generations later.
Who is Egg in Game of Thrones?
Egg’s full name is Prince Aegon Targaryen. “Egg” is just a childhood nickname, given to him by his older brother, Aemon gave it to him. The name plays off how “Aegon” sounds like “egg.”
He’s the fourth and youngest son of Prince Maekar Targaryen and Lady Dyanna Dayne. He was born in King’s Landing.
In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Egg travels in disguise as a common-born squire. This lets him escape the pressures of court life.
His identity comes out in episode three, “The Squire,” when he steps in to stop his brother Prince Aerion from punishing Dunk.
Reasons Egg Hides His Identity
A Targaryen prince is easy to recognize by the family’s silver-gold hair, so Egg keeps his head shaved to hide his identity.
In The Hedge Knight, he becomes separated from his older brother Daeron during the Ashford tourney and gets the chance to serve Dunk as a squire. His shaved head and simple nickname help him pass as an ordinary boy.
George R.R. Martin’s description also notes that Egg’s true identity is hidden from many of the people they meet.
Traveling anonymously lets Egg see Westeros beyond royal life. He meets smallfolk, minor lords, and working people, giving him a view of power few princes experience firsthand
Is Egg the Mad King?
No, Egg is not the Mad King. The Mad King is Aerys II Targaryen, and Egg is actually his grandfather.
Egg’s son, Jaehaerys II, took the throne after him. Jaehaerys’s son then became Aerys II, the king known for his cruelty and paranoia.
The mix-up makes sense. Both men have the same silver hair and purple eyes. Both stories involve fire, madness, and tragedy.
But Egg’s story is closer to the opposite of the Mad King’s. He focuses on helping smallfolk and curbing the power of great lords. That’s a far cry from the paranoia that defines Aerys II’s reign.
Who are Egg’s Parents and Siblings?
Egg comes from an important branch of House Targaryen, with close family members who later shape major events in Westeros.
| Family Member or Connection | Relationship to Egg | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
|
Prince Maekar Targaryen |
Father | Later becomes King Maekar I. |
|
Lady Dyanna Dayne |
Mother | Connects Egg to House Dayne of Starfall. |
|
Prince Daeron Targaryen |
Older brother | Part of Egg’s early family story and travels. |
| Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen | Older brother | Known for his cruelty and dangerous behavior. |
| Prince Aemon Targaryen | Older brother | Later becomes Maester Aemon of the Night’s Watch. |
|
Tywin Lannister |
Court connection | Serves as Egg’s cupbearer when he is young. |
|
Ser Barristan Selmy |
Knight | Egg later knights him before his rise to fame. |
How is Egg Related to Jon Snow?
Egg is Jon Snow’s great-great-grandfather. Jon is the secret son of Rhaegar Targaryen.
Rhaegar is the son of Aerys II. Aerys II is the son of Jaehaerys II, and Jaehaerys II is Egg’s son. That’s four generations between Egg and Jon.
This distance means Egg’s more caring approach to ruling never quite reaches Jon directly. But the family resemblance shows up elsewhere.
Daenerys Targaryen’s push to free slaves and protect common people echoes the same instincts Egg had as king. The two never actually meet in the story’s timeline.
Egg’s Reign as King Aegon V
Few Targaryen kings had a stranger path to power than Egg, a reluctant heir whose reign became a quiet battle between compassion and crown.
How Egg Becomes King
A series of unexpected deaths removes several Targaryens ahead of Aegon in the line of succession, allowing him to take the Iron Throne and earn the name “Aegon the Unlikely.”
His Fight for the Smallfolk
Aegon wants to improve conditions for ordinary people and reduce the power that wealthy and influential lords hold over them.
Marriage and Family
Aegon marries Betha Blackwood, and they have five children. Their son Jaehaerys II eventually succeeds him as king.
A Different Kind of Targaryen King:
Unlike some of his more ruthless relatives, Aegon is remembered as a relatively reasonable ruler who genuinely cares about the people of Westeros.
His Struggle With the Nobility:
Aegon’s reforms often put him at odds with powerful lords who resist losing their influence. His attempts to protect the smallfolk and strengthen royal authority create lasting tension with the nobility.
How Does Egg Die at Summerhall?
Egg’s reign ends tragically at Summerhall, where he dies in a fire while attempting to hatch dragon eggs and restore dragons to House Targaryen.
His son Prince Duncan and several others also die in the disaster. His death becomes one of the most mysterious events in Targaryen history.
It takes on greater meaning because of the prophecy he hears as a boy, which foretells that he will become king before suffering a painful death that many will celebrate.
What is the Dunk and Egg Story?
Long before he wore a crown, Egg was just a boy squire hiding his royal blood while learning what honor means from a humble knight.
- Dunk and Egg: The series follows Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg, a hedge knight and his young squire traveling across Westeros.
- Their Adventures: Together, they face tournaments, danger, and political conflicts across the Seven Kingdoms.
- Egg’s Secret: Egg is secretly Prince Aegon Targaryen, hiding his royal identity as he travels with Dunk.
- Their Friendship: Their growing bond and loyalty form the heart of the story, shaping both characters.
Final Thoughts
Egg begins as a disguised young squire, but his place in Targaryen history is much bigger than it first appears.
He grows up to become Aegon V Targaryen, the ruler known as Aegon the Unlikely.
His family connects him to Maester Aemon, the Mad King, Daenerys, and Jon Snow, while his friendship with Dunk helps shape the way he views ordinary people.
That combination of royal blood, personal experience, and tragedy makes Egg an important link between A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Game of Thrones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Egg Older or Younger than His Brothers?
Egg is the youngest of Prince Maekar’s four sons. Daeron, Aerion, and Aemon were all born before him, which is part of why no one expects him to end up on the Iron Throne.
Does Egg Ever Meet Daenerys or Jon Snow in The Books?
No. Egg dies at Summerhall roughly 15 years before A Game of Thrones begins, decades before Daenerys or Jon are even born.
Why is Aegon Called “the Unlikely” as King?
Several deaths among his older relatives left Egg as an unexpected heir. The nickname “Aegon the Unlikely” reflects how far he was from the throne as a child.
Is the Dunk and Egg Story Connected to House of The Dragon?
Loosely by family line, not by plot. Dunk and Egg’s story begins about 80 years after the events shown in House of the Dragon.
