King penguin given 'Brigadier Sir' title by Royal Norwegian Guard

Published on 23/08/2016 - 11:50

Nils Olav III, a king penguin currently residing at Edinburgh Zoo, has been awarded the title of ‘Brigadier Sir’ by the Royal Norwegian Guard.

The bird, who already held the rank of Knight, is the mascot of His Majesty the King of Norway’s Guard.

Nils Olav I was adopted by the guard back in 1972 and added another chapter to Edinburgh Zoo and the Nordic country’s shared history involving penguins.

The unusual connection was originally formed in 1913 when the Norwegian family of Christian Salvesen presented the zoo with its first ever king penguin.

During their lives, Sir Olav I, II and III have gradually moved up in the military’s ranks, receiving titles including Corporal, Sergeant and Colonel-in-Chief.

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Animals