Halloween Costume Guide
Rhaenys Targaryen had a better claim to the Iron Throne than her cousin Viserys, and the Great Council chose him anyway, for no reason beyond his sex. She never fights that decision in public, which is its own kind of statement. The silver wig and the ruby jewelry set are what make this costume specifically Rhaenys rather than any other Targaryen woman. Eve Best plays her in House of the Dragon (Wikipedia), and while the show is a genuine HBO hit, Rhaenys herself is a supporting player next to Rhaenyra and Alicent, the two women the plot actually centers on.
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The silver wig is what people clock first, since it’s the fastest signal of “Targaryen” in the whole show’s visual language. Without the ruby jewelry breaking up the silver-and-gown palette, the costume can flatten into generic fantasy royalty rather than anything specific to Rhaenys. At a party, a cheap costume-shop gown under good jewelry still reads better than an expensive gown with nothing on the neck and wrists.
Rhaenys sits through the Great Council in 101 AC and watches the realm hand the throne to her cousin instead of her, purely because he’s a man. She doesn’t argue, doesn’t storm out, doesn’t even raise her voice about it on screen. She just remembers it, for decades, which the show keeps circling back to.
Braid at least part of the wig
A fully loose wig reads as generic fantasy hair. Even a single small braid pulled back from the temple signals the specific styling the show uses and takes under ten minutes to do.
Don’t overdo the makeup
The character’s actual look leans natural rather than heavily done. Bold contouring or dramatic eye makeup will fight with the wig and jewelry instead of supporting them.
Couples Idea
Excellent pairing and one of the show’s actual central marriages. Anyone who watches House of the Dragon will place this instantly, and Corlys has a dedicated costume page here to build from.
Duo Idea
Excellent duo between the woman passed over for the throne and the woman fighting to actually take it. The generational echo is real and well documented in the show, and Rhaenyra has a dedicated page here.
Group Idea: House of the Dragon Cast
Strong group for fans of the show, covering three of its central figures across both sides of the eventual conflict. Alicent and Daemon both have costume pages here, and the mix of colors, green and black and Targaryen silver, gives the group visual variety without needing explanation.
Group Idea: Iconic Fantasy Queens & Rulers
Strong group with wide recognition, mixing Game of Thrones-universe queens with Lord of the Rings royalty. Daenerys, Cersei, Galadriel, and Sansa all have dedicated pages here, and the group works whether or not people know Rhaenys specifically, since the other four anchor it.
The gown and wig are worth buying with intention, the jewelry is where you can economize.
Rhaenys is composed, sharp, and rarely raises her voice. Play the restraint, not a dramatic queen performance.
Wear the Rhaenys cosplay gown, add the long silver curly wig, and layer on the ruby necklace and earrings set. Finish with the crystal bracelet and the two rings for the full dragonrider-royalty look.
House of the Dragon is still a major HBO series with a large audience, but Rhaenys is a supporting character, not one of the two leads. Fans of the show will recognize the silver hair and ruby jewelry combination, casual viewers will mostly read it as generic Targaryen royalty.
Her warning to a young Rhaenyra in the second episode: “Men would rather put the realm to the torch than see a woman ascend the Iron Throne.” It’s a line that predicts most of what happens for the rest of the series.
Eve Best plays Rhaenys Targaryen across House of the Dragon’s first two seasons.
The Great Council of 101 AC passed her over for the Iron Throne in favor of her male cousin Viserys I, purely because she was a woman with an equal or better claim. She never contests it publicly, but the show makes clear she never forgets it either.
Meleys, nicknamed the Red Queen. The dragon plays a major role in the Battle of Rook’s Rest at the end of season 1.
Corlys Velaryon, Lord of the Tides and head of House Velaryon. Their marriage ties two of the most powerful houses in the show together.
Who does the Great Council choose over Rhaenys for the Iron Throne?
What is the name of Rhaenys Targaryen’s dragon?
Who plays Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon?