Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule

King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule is the King of Hyrule, a character which makes few appearances. In fact, he only appears in three games with the first being in the ending credits of A Link to the Past. In his second appearance, in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, he played an important role as an advisor to Link. He also appeared in Minish Cap.

A Link to the Past
According to the manual, The King was deceived by the wizard Agahnim. After completing the game, you are shown the cast members, including the King.

The Wind Waker
The King of Red Lions is a talking sailboat that Link meets early in the game. It is with this boat that he is able to move from one island to another on the Great Sea. Good-spirited and filled with wisdom, the King of Red Lions was one of Link's greatest allies. The boat speaks to him, explaining what's going on, and what to do next. Later in the game, it is revealed that the boat is operated magically by King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, preserved under the sea.

The King can speak the ancient Hylian tongue, and often does so on Link's behalf. Neither Link nor the player can understand the language, however, on the second play through, the player can read these words. Link, on the other hand, still can't understand them.

The King of Red Lions is seen at the end of the game, but appears completely lifeless, as the King himself has died. Eiji Aonuma has stated that the boat will not reappear in Phantom Hourglass.

King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule is the last king of the long forgotten land of Hyrule. He is of the Royal Blood Line, just like Princess Zelda. Daphnes revealed to Tetra that she is the heir to the kingdom of Hyrule, just as her ancestor, Princess Zelda was. Judging by how he fades in and out of existence, and how he's still living in Hyrule despite the fact that it had been sealed away by the gods long ago, he may merely be an apparition. He may also be grounded spiritually to Hyrule, as Link only meets him in person while in Hyrule. By the end of the game, the King appears before Ganondorf, wishing to the Triforce for Hyrule to be drowned under the Great Sea, and to give Link and Tetra a future. After Ganondorf's final defeat, Daphnes laments to Link and Tetra his regret as he lived bound to the memory of Hyrule, comparing himself to Ganondorf in that regard. The King explained to Link and Tetra to live for the future in a land which would belong only to them. After the ocean drowns Hyrule, Link and Tetra rise to the surface with the king remaing with his doomed kingdom, possibly dying.

The Minish Cap
The King of Hyrule appeared in Minish Cap, too, and witnessed Vaati's attack in the beginning of the game. He sent Link on his new journey to Minish Woods. He didn't play a very major role.