He went to pursue "a lifestyle more in tune with that of the majority of the population" and a career in property development, but returned to the Royal Ballet in 1992.
[5] Cope was appointed a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2003 Queen's New Year's Honours List for his services to Ballet.
In 2007, Cope appeared in Bussell's pre-retirement gala at Sadler's Wells Theatre and danced Wheeldon's Tryst.
[9] In 2009, during the Royal Ballet's first tour in Cuba, he stepped in for an injured Rupert Pennefather, who Cope had coached, in A Month In The Country.
[10] In 2012, Cope performed at the London Olympics closing ceremony, in a sequence titled 'Spirit of the Flame', choreographed by Wheeldon and composed by David Arnold.