Nils Olav, Edinburgh Zoo’s famous penguin, was visited by the Norwegian King’s Guard on Friday 15 August, the day he was awarded a knighthood by HM King Harald.
The Guardsmen visit Nils every few years while they are in the city performing at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Over the years, they have promoted Nils through the ranks and he is currently ranked ‘Colonel-in Chief’. Following a ceremony at the Zoo on 15 August, yet another promotion was bestowed on this very special penguin and his knighthood had been approved by Norway's King.
Nils Olav became an honorary member of the Norwegian Royal Guard in 1972, after a young lieutenant called Nils Egelien first visited the penguins at Edinburgh Zoo. He was named after the soldier and Norway's then king Olav V. Since that time he has received various accolades for long service and good conduct including medals and a 4ft bronze statue. The penguin honoured now is unfortunately not the original Nils Olav who died in 1987, but was then replaced by a two-year-old penguin at the Zoo. A penguin's life span is normally around 20 years.
David Windmill, chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo, said: “We have a long-standing history with the Norwegian King’s Guard and it is something we are extremely proud of. It’s an honour that they take the time to visit us. Edinburgh Zoo is famous for its king penguins and Nils Olav is definitely the most famous of them all.”
It now remains to be seen if staff and visitors to the zoo will address the penguin as Sir Nils Olav!