[1] Catherine Royle gained a BA degree in philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) from Somerville College, Oxford in 1985,[2] later converted into an MA.

Royle then served in Dublin, and from 2001 to 2003 as Head of the Policy Unit on the Convention on the Future of Europe.

[3] Royle spent seven years in Latin America where she served as Deputy Head of Mission in Buenos Aires (2003–2006) and as British Ambassador to Venezuela (2007–2010), succeeding Donald Lamont and preceding Catherine Nettleton.

In August 2012 she took up the role as Head of the Secretariat of the International Police Co-ordination Board,[3] and later served at personal adviser to the Interior Minister of Iraq.

[6] In February 2025, it was announced by Somerville College, Oxford that Royle will succeed Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon as Principal of Somerville College, Oxford in October 2025, of which she is an Honorary Fellow.