Röell was born in Haarlem, to Herman Hendrik, Baron Röell [nl] (1806–1883), member (1842) and registrar (1843–1858) of the Provincial Council of North Holland, King's Commissioner of Utrecht (1858–1860) and of North Holland (1860–1879), curator of the University of Utrecht (1859–1883), and his wife Elisabeth van de Poll (1808–1862).

From 1861 to 23 November 1866, he studied Roman and Contemporary Law at Utrecht University, after which he briefly worked as a lawyer.

As a former registrar of the Provincial Council of South Holland, Röell was familiar with the intricacies of local and regional government and water management.

After the 1894 general election, Röell became formateur, and formed a liberal cabinet in which he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Röell married Jonkvrouw Eritia Ena Romelia de Beaufort (1843–1910) in Utrecht on 10 September 1868.