Born and raised in Arizona, Royce resides in the Village of Kykotsmovi located on the Hopi Indian Reservation. Royce attended Twin Wells Indian School in Holbrook and Southwest Indian School located in Peoria, Arizona.  Royce has Degrees from Estrella Mountain Community College in Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from Arizona State University West, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Royce is currently the Director of Community Planning & Economic Development for the Hopi Tribe.  Royce is retired from the United States Army serving 22 years (82d Airborne Division - 94th ADA Brigade - 59th Ordnance Brigade) on active duty and continually active  with various Veteran organizations.  Royce is a Morris K. Udall Foundation's Native American Congressional Intern and served in the Office of Senator John McCain.  Royce was appointed to Governor’s Council on Small Business, is a Board Director on the Arizona Rural Development Council, nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the AZ State Senate as a Board Member on the Arizona Health Facilities Authority, and serves as a member of his communities Enterprise Board.

Royce is the son of the late Palmer (PJ) Jenkins of Kykotsmovi and Glorianna Setalla of Sichomovi Village in Northern Arizona.  Royce is married to his high school sweetheart of 31 years, the former Corena Charley (Dine') of Red Mesa, Arizona.  Royce and Corena have two daughters Melissa, Glorianna and grandson Anthony.