It may surprise you to learn that Edinburgh Zoo is home to a penguin who is a brigadier of the Norwegian King's Guard.
Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III is a king penguin who currently resides at the zoo. The name Nils Olav and its associated ranks have actually been passed down through three penguins in the years since 1972, with Nils Olav III being the current holder of the title.
The story of Nils Olav starts in 1961, when a lieutenant of the Norwegian King’s Guard named Nils Egelien visited the Edinburgh Military Tattoo for a drill display. While in the city, Egelien was captivated by the zoo's penguin colony.
When the King's Guard returned to Edinburgh 11 years later in 1972, Egelien arranged for them to adopt a penguin, who was named after King Olav V of Norway as well as the lieutenant himself.
After the adoption, the penguin was initially given the rank of visekorporal, or lance corporal, for the Norwegian Guard. Over the years, he has moved up the ranks.
Every time the King's Guard visits the zoo, Nils is given a promotion. In 1982 he was made a corporal, before being given the rank of sergeant in 1987.
Following this, the penguin sadly passed away. He was replaced with Nils Olav II, a two-year-old penguin who looked near-identical to his predecessor.
Nils Olav II received further promotions to the rank of regimental sergeant major in 1993, honourable regimental sergeant major in 2001, and colonel-in-chief in 2005. During the latter visit, Edinburgh Zoo was gifted a 1.2-metre-high bronze statue of Nils Olav.
The penguin's most important visit from the Norwegian King's Guard came in 2008, when he was knighted in a ceremony personally approved by King Harald V. During the ceremony, a citation from the King was read aloud, which described Nils as "in every way qualified to receive the honour and dignity of knighthood".
Sometime after this visit, Nils Olav II died and was succeeded by Nils Olav III. The current holder of the title was last promoted in 2016, when he was bestowed the rank of brigadier.
Around 50 years after his predecessor was first adopted, Nils Olav III now outranks Nils Egelien.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
