Egg’s secret is out: Why would Dunk still let him serve as a squire?

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 3 finally delivers the moment fans of George R.R. Martin’s novellas have been waiting for: Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) reveals his true identity. But the circumstances surrounding the reveal matter enormously. Egg doesn’t spill the secret out of arrogance or carelessness—he reveals himself to save Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford) from Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), the dangerously unhinged prince who represents a genuine threat to everyone around him.

Quick read:

• Egg reveals royal identity in Episode 3 to save Dunk and Tanselle from Aerion
• Young prince uses his Targaryen status as shield against dangerous uncle
• Dunk keeps Egg as squire despite learning truth about his background

Egg’s royal revelation saves them from Aerion’s wrath

Aerion is a wildcard—unpredictable, volatile, and consumed by entitlement. When he develops an obsession with Tanselle and threatens violence against Dunk, there’s suddenly a very real danger that no amount of hedge knight ingenuity can overcome. Dunk is skilled with a sword, but he’s no match for a Targaryen prince backed by the full weight of royal authority.

This is where Egg makes his play. By revealing his identity as a Targaryen himself—and specifically, as someone with actual legitimacy and standing—he essentially throws his protection over Dunk and Tanselle. The message is clear: these people are under the protection of a prince, and Aerion, for all his arrogance, can’t simply murder them without facing serious consequences. It’s political judo, turning Egg’s greatest liability (his secret identity) into his most potent weapon.

Why Dunk keeps Egg after learning the truth

Dunk’s decision to let Egg continue as his squire after the reveal speaks volumes about his character. He’s not interested in Egg’s title or what having a royal squire might do for his reputation. Instead, he respects the boy for choosing to risk everything to protect the people he cares about.

There’s also a practical element: Egg has proven himself invaluable, and Dunk knows that sending him away now—exposed and vulnerable—would be abandoning him to a far worse fate. But more importantly, Dunk sees in Egg a kindred spirit. The boy might be a prince, but in that moment of revelation, he chose honor over safety. That’s exactly the kind of knight Dunk aspires to be, and that’s exactly the kind of squire worth keeping.

Read next: “He threw me so high”: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Dexter Sol Ansell recalls a painful on-set accident with Peter Claffey