Aemond Targaryen Finally Replaces Aegon On The Iron Throne In House Of The Dragon Season 3’s New Images

As HBO Max teases its new releases in 2026, House of the Dragon season 3 has finally revealed new looks at some major characters’ returns, including Ewan Mitchell’s Aemond Targaryen. The highly anticipated next chapter in Game of Thrones‘ first spinoff series is set to arrive in summer 2026, massively raising the stakes as the battles, betrayals, and tragedies kick into full gear for the Dance of the Dragons.

After House of the Dragon season 3 footage was included in HBO Max’s new 2026 release reel, the streamer followed up with high-quality stills from those moments. These include James Norton as Ormund Hightower standing on the battlefield, Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra Targaryen looking down while wearing her crown, Steve Toussaint’s Corlys Velaryon fighting in battle, a skull burning in a fireplace, Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower comforting Aemond, and Alicent approaching Aemond as he sits on the Iron Throne:

The image of Aemond sitting on the Iron Throne brings to life a major twist from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, which described Aemond assuming the role of Prince Regent while his brother King Aegon was incapacitated. In the novel, Aemond sat on the Iron Throne and even wore Aegon the Conqueror’s crown, having also been rumored to say the crown looked better on him than it ever did on Aegon II.

While it doesn’t appear that Aemond is wearing Aegon’s crown in House of the Dragon season 3’s new Throne Room image, it’s a moment that can still be expected as the upcoming episodes adapt Martin’s story. The end of House of the Dragon season 2 already gave a glimpse of Aemond stepping into the Prince Regent role as he led council meetings, but season 3 takes him seizing his brother’s power to the next extreme as he boldly sits on the Iron Throne.

How long Aemond and the Greens will be able to maintain their hold over King’s Landing, however, will be a major factor in season 3’s story as Rhaenyra continues to set her eye on reclaiming the throne herself. With Rhaenyra’s army gearing up for intense battles, the weight of the crown on her head grows even heavier, as emphasized by the new image of Emma D’Arcy’s returning House of the Dragon character staring sternly while wearing Viserys’ crown.

From the battlefield, House of the Dragon season 3’s new images show major players from both sides leading their respective armies in combat. Otto Hightower’s nephew Ormund Hightower is seen commanding Aegon’s army in an intense moment, with Ormund quickly becoming one of the most integral characters in the Greens’ battle strategy. We also get a look at Corlys Velaryon in full armor looking nervous, which could be from the highly anticipated Battle of the Gullet.

One curious new still shows a skull burning, though it’s unclear whose head it once belonged to. The Targaryens have a tradition of burning their dead, but in a proper funeral pyre – not a fireplace. This is likely the burning of an enemy’s severed head, or could even be related to a vision at Harrenhal.

As can be expected of a Game of Thrones series, tragedy awaits both sides of House Targaryen’s warring family tree throughout the eight episodes of House of the Dragon season 3. The concept of “an eye for an eye” began in this war with the death of Prince Lucerys, and will only grow worse and more harrowing as the battle for the Iron Throne progresses.