Laenor, the son of Corlys and Rhaenys Velaryon (and second cousin of Rhaenyra), becomes the princess's first husband as a strategic move to unite the two most powerful houses and end the question of Rhaenyra's marriage. In the book, Laenor is not a bad man but one completely disinterested in marriage — or women at all. His best friend and "favorite," Joffrey, is killed at the wedding tourney, and rumors spread that he spends his time grieving his favorite rather than consummating his marriage.
Rhaenyra and Laenor's marriage produces three sons: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. Because none of the sons resemble Laenor — and because of Laenor's rumored sexuality — rumors abound that the children are actually the sons of Ser Harwin Strong, a knight who becomes Rhaenyra's sworn shield.
In the book, Laenor dies relatively young, following a fight with one of his rumored lovers.
In "House of the Dragon," the rumors about their sons are true. In episode seven, Rhaenyra reveals she and Laenor tried to have children but just couldn't make it work. Laenor is seemingly killed by his lover Ser Qarl Correy, but it turns out that Rhaenyra, Daemon, Laenor, and Qarl worked together to fake his death so the two lovers could escape across the Narrow Sea. For the world of "Game of Thrones," that's a pretty happy ending.
