Margaery Tyrell
The ambitious Rose of Highgarden who married three kings and challenged Cersei Lannister.
Margaery Tyrell is a fictional character in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones, portrayed by Natalie Dormer. First mentioned in A Game of Thrones (1996) and appearing in A Clash of Kings (1998), she is the daughter of Mace Tyrell and Alerie Hightower. As a member of House Tyrell, the second wealthiest Great House, she is known for her shrewdness, ambition, and adaptability. Guided by her grandmother Lady Olenna, Margaery uses her beauty and family influence to secure power, eventually becoming an influential political figure who wed three kings: Renly Baratheon, Joffrey Baratheon, and Tommen Baratheon.
- House
- Tyrell
- Role
- Queen Consort (to Renly, Joffrey, and Tommen)
- Affiliation
- Highgarden, King's Landing Court
- First Appears
- A Clash of Kings
- Status
- Deceased (Books: Awaiting Trial; Show: Killed in wildfire explosion)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Margaery is the only daughter of Lord Mace Tyrell and Lady Alerie Hightower. Her older brothers are Willas, the heir to Highgarden; Ser Garlan the Gallant; and Ser Loras Tyrell, a member of the Kingsguard. Although House Tyrell appears led by Mace, it is actually guided by the willful Lady Olenna Baratheon (born Redwyne), who arranges Margaery's marriages and mentors her in politics. In the novels, Margaery is not a point-of-view character; her actions are witnessed through Sansa Stark and Cersei Lannister. She leverages her grandmother's influence to navigate court intrigue, forming an amiable relationship with Joffrey's ex-fiancée Sansa Stark to learn about the King's true nature before marrying him.
In Their Own Story
Margaery first appears in A Clash of Kings (1998) married to Renly Baratheon. After his assassination, the Tyrells switch allegiance, and she is offered to wed Joffrey Baratheon. In A Storm of Swords (2000), she wins over King's Landing citizens through charitable activities before marrying Joffrey, who is poisoned at their wedding feast. By A Feast for Crows (2005), she marries Joffrey's younger brother, Tommen, encouraging him to assert himself as king. Her growing influence sparks a bitter power struggle with Cersei Lannister, culminating in Cersei framing Margaery for adultery. In A Dance with Dragons (2011), she is released from prison and placed under house arrest awaiting trial.
Reader's Guide
In the television series, Margaery appears as an adult rather than a teenager, first shown in Season 2 following her marriage to Renly. She displays pragmatism regarding Renly's relationship with her brother Loras. In Season 3, she manages Joffrey better than anyone else, becoming popular with the common people through PR moves toward the poor. After Joffrey is poisoned in Season 4 (with Olenna revealed as the mastermind), she marries Tommen and becomes Queen of the Seven Kingdoms in Season 5. She taunts Cersei but falls victim to a trap involving the Faith Militant, leading to her arrest alongside Loras. In Season 6, after briefly securing their release by convincing Tommen to ally with the Faith, Margaery deduces Cersei is plotting against them. She dies instantly when wildfire set by Qyburn on Cersei's orders engulfs the Sept of Baelor.
Did You Know?
- Margaery is the only daughter of Mace Tyrell and Alerie Hightower.
- She was married to three different kings over the course of the narrative.
- In the novels, she is not a point-of-view character; her actions are interpreted through Sansa Stark and Cersei Lannister.
- Her grandmother, Lady Olenna, originally belonged to House Redwyne before marrying into Tyrell.
- In the TV series, Margaery was portrayed by English actress Natalie Dormer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Margaery Tyrell?
She is the daughter of Lord Mace Tyrell and Alerie Hightower, representing House Tyrell in King's Landing. Known as the Rose of Highgarden, she secures influence through strategic marriages to three different kings.
What role does she play in the story?
Margaery serves as Queen Consort to Renly Baratheon briefly before becoming the wife of Joffrey and Tommen. Her primary function is leveraging her family's wealth to challenge House Lannister's control over the Iron Throne.
How does Margaery Tyrell's story end?
In the television adaptation, she dies in a wildfire explosion orchestrated by Cersei within the Great Sept of Baelor. In the books, her fate remains unresolved as she awaits trial for alleged adultery and treason.
Why is Margaery Tyrell important?
She represents the rising power of House Tyrell and serves as a key political foil to Cersei Lannister's ruthlessness. Her alliances shift the balance of power in King's Landing, making her central to the intrigue surrounding the throne.
Who guides Margaery's political strategies?
She is heavily influenced by her grandmother, Lady Olenna Tyrell, who manipulates court politics from the shadows. Together they navigate the dangerous landscape of King's Landing to secure their family's dominance over the realm.
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Related in A Song of Ice and Fire
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