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'House of the Dragon': Alicent Hightower's green dress and its deadly significance in HBO prequel series explained

Alicent Hightower is the mother of King Aegon Targaryen in'House of the Dragon'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is set to stream on HBO on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

This season will delve into friends turned foes, Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D' Arcy), as they compete for the coveted Iron Throne.

Among the many talking points of Season 1, one that sparked discussion online was the costume design chosen for Alicent Hightower.

The series takes multiple leaps and tells the story of Alicent growing up from a young girl to the queen married to King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine).

We witness a gradual progression in the color choices for Alicent's costume throughout the series until the episode 'We Light the Way', where she debuts her green dress. 

From that point forward, Alicent predominantly wears the color green. The decision to dress her in green extends beyond mere aesthetics; it carries profound symbolic significance chosen by the creators.

Here we explain the significance of the green dress worn by Alicent Hightower. 

Alicent wears the green dress to the royal wedding ('House of the Dragon', Season 1, Episode 5)

Weddings in the world of 'Game of Thrones' and 'House of the Dragon' have always been a harbinger of violence and unexpected twists. Who could forget the 'Red Wedding' from 'Game of Thrones'?

In Season 1, Episode 5, Alicent turns up in a green dress to upstage her friend Rhaenyra on her wedding day. Until this episode, the friendship between the two women remained seemingly intact.

Alicent even supported Rhaenyra's claim to the throne despite giving birth to Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), whom the lords deemed the rightful heir to the throne due to his male lineage.

However, this event serves as a pivotal turning point, as Alicent begins to actively press her son's claim to the throne, thereby setting the stage for the escalating enmity between Rhaenyra and Alicent that follows.

Significance of the color green to Hightowers

The choice of Alicent wearing a green dress to the wedding holds significance due to the color's association with House Hightower. Whenever the Hightowers mobilize for war, they summon their soldiers by changing the flame atop the Hightower to green. 

Wearing the green dress at the wedding is a symbolic declaration of war and a call for support from other houses. The color also has significance to what is going to happen in Season 2. 

In the second season, a civil war erupts within the Targaryen house, pitting Team Green against Team Black. Team Green comprises supporters of Alicent Hightower, while Team Black consists of those who rally behind Rhaenyra Targaryen.

How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will premiere on HBO/ Max on June 16, 2024. To watch the series, you will need a Max subscription.

The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.

The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs at $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually.

The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99. 

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Trailer

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on HBO on June 16, 2024.