Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule

King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule is the King of Hyrule, a character which makes few appearances. In fact he only appears in two games with the first being A Link to the Past in the ending credits. In his second game, 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 became 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 to do next and what's going on. Later in the game, it is revealed that the boat is operated magically by King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, preserved under the sea — this explains the name, since Hyrule's emblem is a red lion.

The King can speak the ancient Hylian tongue, and often does so on Link's behalf. On the second playthrough the player can read these words, but in the first playthrough the character cannot understand the language.

The King of Red Lions is seen by 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 she was the heir to the Hylian kingdom as Princess Zelda. 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 arrives before Ganondorf, wishing to the Triforce for Hyrule to be drowned under the Great Sea and to give Link and Zelda a future. After Ganon's final defeat, Daphnes laments to Link and Zelda his regret as he lived bound to the memory of Hyrule, comparing himself to Ganondorf in that regard. The King explained to Link and Zelda to live for the future in a land which would belong only to them. After the ocean drowns Hyrule, Link and Zelda 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.