Jonathan Cope (dancer)

Jonathan Cope, CBE (born 1963) is a British ballet dancer, a former principal and current répétiteur with The Royal Ballet. Cope was born in Devon. He created the role of The Prince alongside Darcey Bussell in The Prince of the Pagodas in 1989. He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2003 Queen's New Year's Honours List for his services to Ballet. He is married to the Portuguese-born ballerina Maria Almeida, also a former Royal Ballet dancer. Jonathan Cope was involved in the London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony, alongside fellow former Principal dancer and partner Darcey Bussell, who returned from retirement exclusively for this piece; Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. Bussell flew to the stage on a flaming phoenix and when landing was met by Gary Avis, Jonathan Cope, Edward Watson (dancer) and Nehemiah Kish – and over 200 ballet dancers – including Kei Akahoshi, Ellie Sharpe and Chantel Roulston from English National Ballet, dancing en pointe to Spirit of the Flame, composed by David Arnold.