Royale

A royale is a jump in which the dancer beats the legs together once before changing the position of the feet and landing. It is essentially a changement with a beat added, so it starts and finishes in fifth position but includes a quick beat of the legs in the air. The added beat gives the jump a crisp, sparkling quality and introduces dancers to the family of beaten steps known as batterie.

How a Royale Is Done

A royale begins in fifth position with a demi-plié. The dancer springs straight up, and in the air the legs beat together once, with the calves lightly touching, before the feet change so the back foot comes to the front. The dancer then lands in fifth position with the feet changed, cushioning the landing in demi-plié. The beat happens quickly at the height of the jump, so the whole step stays neat and controlled.

How It Fits With Other Beaten Steps

Because it adds a single beat to a changement, the royale is often one of the first beaten jumps a dancer learns, preparing the legs for more complex batterie such as entrechats. The key is a clean beat with straight, turned-out legs and a change of feet that reads clearly. Practicing the royale builds the fast, precise leg action and strong fifth position that all beaten steps require, which makes it a valuable step in petit allegro.