Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare announced on 12 December 2024 that he has promoted Melissa Hamilton to Principal dancer, the highest rank in the company.
This promotion will take effect from 1 January 2025.
The Irish dancer joined The Royal Ballet 2007. Personally, I watched her dance for the first time in Wayne McGregor’s Limen in 2009 in Covent Garden and instantly sensed she was going to achieve something big, she would become Principal one day. At one point, I bought a cheapest seat for every single show that I knew in advance she was casted for. I saw her Juliet with Timofej Andrijashenko as Romeo in 2018-2019 and I was sure she would be promoted to Principal for the following season. I was disgusted by The Royal Ballet promoting other dancers, some of whom were rathee questionable. I seriously do not know why it took so long for The Royal Ballet to promote her to Principal. But I am happy it finally happened. She is, I guess, in her mid- or late-thirties, at her prime.
Her Manon was amazing, too! Congratulations, Melissa!
