Royal grew up in Sacramento and has lived here most of his life. He completed his undergraduate degree in Health Science/Occupational Health at California State University Sacramento, and continued his training at Kaiser Permanente, focusing on employee injury and illness prevention. He was a teaching assistant in physiology and anatomy at Cosumnes River College prior to pursuing his clinical education. Soon after, he relocated to Seattle, Washington and enrolled in Seattle University, where he earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree, first becoming a R.N. and then a family nurse practitioner (FNP).

While in Seattle, he volunteered and worked with diverse populations, including non-English speaking, homeless, and gay and lesbian patients. He has published several articles on primary care health issues of underserved populations. His clinical experience has been in infectious disease, rural health, international community health, and mental health. Royal enjoys all aspects of family medical care, especially infectious diseases and health education.

When not at work, Royal enjoys live theatre and cinema and spends long days at the park with his basset hound. He currently resides in Sacramento.