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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Who Is Egg in Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? Aegon Targaryen Explained

Egg is secretly a Targaryen prince who becomes one of Westeros's greatest kings. Here's his connection to Daenerys, Maester Aemon, and Game of Thrones.

By Showmaster10 min read2,000 words

When Dunk meets a bald kid claiming to be a stableboy, he has no idea he's looking at a future King of Westeros. Egg—the young squire at the heart of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms—is hiding one of the biggest secrets in the realm.

His real name? Aegon Targaryen. And his story connects directly to Game of Thrones in ways that will blow your mind.

Here's everything you need to know about Egg's true identity and why it matters.

Egg's True Identity Revealed

Egg is actually Prince Aegon Targaryen, the youngest son of Prince Maekar Targaryen and great-grandson of the current king.

Full Title: Aegon of House Targaryen, Fifth of His Name

Why "Egg"? It's a childhood nickname—likely because "Aegon" is hard for a small child to pronounce, and his shaved head makes him look like an egg.

Why the disguise? Egg was supposed to squire for his older brother Daeron at the tournament. But Daeron wanted to skip the event, so he shaved Egg's distinctive silver-blonde Targaryen hair and abandoned him. When Dunk mistook him for a stableboy, Egg seized the chance to experience life as a commoner—something a prince could never normally do.

Why not reveal himself? Freedom. As a prince, Egg would be surrounded by guards, tutors, and obligations. With Dunk, he's just a kid on an adventure. And he's discovered something princes rarely learn: what life is really like for ordinary people.

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Egg's Connection to Game of Thrones Characters

Here's where it gets exciting for Game of Thrones fans:

Maester Aemon is Egg's Brother Remember the elderly, blind Maester at Castle Black who counseled Jon Snow? That's Aemon Targaryen—Egg's older brother. In GOT, Aemon mentions his little brother Egg multiple times. Now we're seeing that relationship unfold.

  • Egg (Aegon V) → Son Jaehaerys II → Son Aerys II (The Mad King) → Children Rhaegar, Viserys, and Daenerys

So yes, this little bald kid grows up to be the direct ancestor of the Mother of Dragons.

Egg is Jon Snow's Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Through Rhaegar (Jon's father), Egg is also directly ancestral to Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen.

The Timeline Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place about 90 years before Game of Thrones and 80 years after House of the Dragon. The dragons are gone, the Targaryens still rule, and the realm is at relative peace.

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How Egg Becomes "The Unlikely"

Egg wasn't supposed to be king. He was the fourth son of a fourth son—so far from the throne that no one expected him to sit on it.

  • His father Maekar dies in battle
  • His older brothers die or are passed over (Daeron died of a pox, Aerion drank wildfire, Aemon chose the Night's Watch)
  • The Great Council of 233 AC chooses Egg as king

He becomes Aegon V Targaryen, "The Unlikely"—a king who understood common people because he lived among them.

His Legacy: Egg became one of the most beloved Targaryen kings. He championed smallfolk rights, tried to limit noble power, and was known for his humility and justice. His time with Dunk shaped him into a ruler who actually cared about ordinary people.

His Death: Tragically, Egg died at Summerhall in 259 AC, in a fire that was likely caused by an attempt to hatch dragon eggs. His friend Ser Duncan the Tall died with him. But that's a story for future seasons.

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Why Egg's Story Matters

Egg represents something rare in Westeros: a Targaryen who sees beyond his own privilege.

While other nobles see smallfolk as beneath them, Egg's time disguised as a commoner teaches him that birth doesn't determine worth. He sees Dunk—a possibly illegitimate knight with no lands or titles—be more honorable than lords with ancient names.

This shapes everything about who Egg becomes. When he takes the throne, he remembers what it was like to be hungry, to be dismissed, to be powerless. He tries to change the system from within.

Does he succeed? History says he tried harder than almost any other king. And maybe that's enough.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms isn't just a prequel. It's an origin story for one of the most important figures in Westerosi history—told through his friendship with a hedge knight who taught him that honor isn't about blood. It's about choices.

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