He is possibly the world's most famous and talked about penguin. Since 1972, he has been in the media's attention and is a hugely loved and admired animal. During a stylish ceremony at the Edinburgh Zoo this afternoon, Nils Olav was promoted by His Majesty The King's Guard of Norway to Colonel in Chief.
17/08/2005 :: A large audience and dignitaries from Scotland and Norway, including the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Rt. Hon Lesley Hinds, Brigadier Mel Jameson (Chief Executive & Producer, Edinburgh Military Tattoo), Lieutenant Colonel Jan Magnus Brekkhus (Commanding H.M. the King's Guard of Norway), Major Olav Andre Melan, Mr Nils Egelien (Vice President of the Norwegian Royal Guard Association) and Mr David Windmill (Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Zoo) attended the Ceremony.
Please see below for pictures from the Ceremony.
Nils Olav on his way to the Ceremony
Nils Olav on his way to the Ceremony
Nils Olav inspects the His Majesty The King's Guard of Norway
Nils Olav inspects the His Majesty The King's Guard of Norway
Nils Olav seems happy with the King's Guard
Nils Olav eagerly awaits his promotion
Nils Olav takes a bow for the press
Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Rt Hon Lesley Hinds unveils the Statue of Nils Olav
The Plaque next to the statue of Nils Olav
The statue of Nils Olav
The statue of Nils Olav
Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Rt Hon Lesley Hinds and Officers from the King's Guard are all keen to congratulate Nils Olav
Consul General Arne Sivertsen and Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Rt Hon Lesley Hinds next to the Statue of Nils Olav
Lord Provost and the statue of Nils Olav
The King's Guard
The King's Guard
The King's Guard
The King's Guard