Game of Thrones season 7 premiere teases fate of Cersei Lannister

Euron Greyjoy's words could one day take on a deeper meaning

Game of Thrones season seven began with a dramatic episode filled with, among other things, Harry Potter references and an Ed Sheeran cameo (yes, really).

One thing the opener also featured were many hints at potential twists that could rock the show one day in the future, chief of all being the Valonqar theory pertaining to the prophecy of the fate of Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey).

For those who can't recall, the Valonqar prophecy derives from the words spoken to a young Cersei about her future by a witch - after correctly predicting she will become queen and have three children who will all perish - as seen in the series - the book's text includes one extra prophecy: “And when your tears have drowned you, the Valonqar shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you.“

In High Valyrian language, 'Valonqar' means 'little brother' - and while some believe this could be alluding to Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), many believe that Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) will be the one to slay his sister/lover backed up by Maggy's earlier words:

“Oh yes. You will be queen, for a time... until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear.”

The premiere episode hinted at this theory in a scene between the Lannisters and Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbæk) who's off to get Cersei a gift that could spell trouble for Daenerys (Emilia Clarke).

After asking for her hand in marriage, Cersei swiftly declines his proposal stating he's not trustworthy.

“You murdered your own brother,” she says to which Greyjoy replies: “You should try it - it feels wonderful.”

Could this be a knowing nod from David Benioff and D.B. Weiss or a hint that perhaps Cersei will attempt to prevent the prophecy from coming true by killing her own brother, be it Jaime or Tyrion?

The popularly held belief, however, is that Cersei will die at the hand of one of her brothers, and an earlier moment seemed to tease this outcome. The moment sees the Queen standing on a large painting of Westeros with eagle eyed fans noticing she's stood on a part known as 'the neck' while Jaime is stood atop a part known as 'fingers.'

Game of Thrones, 'Dragonstone'

Despite Jaime having just one hand, fans are taking this as proof that Jaime - the true Valonqar - will be the one to take down Cersei. It's certain we'll have to wait until the finale to find out if this is the case.

Game of Thrones airs in the US on HBO every Sunday where it is simulcast in the UK on Sky Atlantic at 2am. It is repeated that same evening on both Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.