How Princess Diana’s Funeral Inspired House of the Dragon’s Dark Procession

House of the Dragon season 2 continues to be loved by fans thanks to its intriguing storyline that covers the increasing bloodshed in the land of Westeros. The second episode of season 2 titled Rhaenyra the Cruel saw chaos following the murder of Prince Jaehaerys. The episode’s director, Clare Kilner, explained that Prince Jaehaerys’ funeral was inspired by Princess Diana’s real-life funeral.

House of the Dragon Season 2 Was Inspired by Princess Diana’s Funeral

The second episode of season 2 is the longest episode of the season so far with a duration of 72 minutes. In the episode, King Aegon goes mad to get revenge on Rhaenyra as he calls the small council meeting. Ser Otto, however, suggested a public funeral for Prince Jaehaerys in order to stain Rhaenyra’s image.

During the heartbreaking mourning procession, a herald chanted “Rhaenyra the Cruel,” as the gathered masses mourned the loss of Prince Jaehaerys. Eyes turn to Alicent and Helaena, who receive the condolences of the people, amid their massive loss.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Episode 2 director Clare Kilner revealed that filming Prince Jaehaerys’ somber procession was inspired by Princess Diana’s funeral. Kilner admitted to using footage of Diana’s funeral as a reference point to film the procession as he spoke to people in Spain, where the scenes were filmed, to understand how they grieve their personal grief.

“We shot so much footage for the funeral and we were like, ‘Oh my God,’ we have to have that first rhythm before we go into this procession, which is really heartbreaking and very difficult. Alicent and Helaena had to deal with everyone watching and watching,” Kilner said. “I talk to them to find out what personal experience of grief you’ve had, and to bring that with you and so that everyone can really individualize it so that it’s not one crowd doing one thing. »

Discovering the second episode of season 2 of House of Dragons

After the media coverage of the dark and heartbreaking procession, Queen Rhaenyra realizes that her public image has taken a serious hit, forcing Daemon to travel to Harrenhal to broker new alliances. Ser Criston, meanwhile, orders Ser Arryk to kill Rhaenyra by cleverly infiltrating Dragonstone and taking the place of her twin brother Ser Erryk, who is serving as a member of the Kingsguard.

Rhaenyra grants her freedom to Mysaria, who upon leaving Dragonstone notices Arryk’s infiltration and informs a guard. As Arryk enters the Queen’s chambers to kill Rhaenyra, he encounters her brother who ends up killing him. Overcome with grief over killing his own brother, Ser Erryk then committed suicide.

King Aegon II Targaryen’s desire for revenge grows as he irrationally declares war on Rhaenyra and Dragonstone by suspending all the ratcatchers in King’s Landing, including Cheese. This action by Aegon forces Ser Otto Hightower to confront him because he fears a populist revolt. But the bloodthirsty Aegon decides to replace Otto with Ser Criston as the new arm of the king.

The events of the first two episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 hint at the massive war to come. The third episode of the final season, directed by Geeta Patel, will be released on June 30, 2024. The first two episodes of the series, House of the Dragon Season 2, can be streamed on Max.