At the Edinburgh Zoo, a rather unusual knighting ceremony has taken place, one that highlights not just cross-species honor but international cooperation. Sir Nils Olav, a king penguin residing at the zoo, was knighted by the Norwegian Royal Guard. This distinguished penguin is not just any zoo inhabitant; he carries the title of Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III and serves as the official mascot of the Norwegian Royal Guard.
The tradition of knighting a penguin began in 1972 when the Norwegian Royal Guard first visited the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an annual military performance festival. They adopted a king penguin at the zoo as their mascot, naming him Nils Olav in honor of Nils Egelien, a lieutenant in the Norwegian Army who arranged the adoption, and King Olav V of Norway. The original Nils Olav was knighted in 2008 and following his death, the current Sir Nils Olav III, his successor, continued to rise through the ranks.
Each visit of the Norwegian Royal Guard to the zoo includes a promotion ceremony for Sir Nils Olav, accompanied by a parade and inspection of the troops, a duty he performs with the dignity befitting a knight. These promotions through the ranks reflect not only the deep affection and respect the Royal Guard has for Sir Nils Olav but also serve as a symbol of the longstanding friendship between Norway and Scotland.
This quirky tradition captures public imagination and highlights the lighter side of military ceremonials, bringing attention to wildlife conservation and international diplomacy. Sir Nils Olav III, though perhaps unaware of his esteemed position, remains a beloved figure both at the Edinburgh Zoo and within the ranks of the Norwegian Royal Guard, embodying a unique and enduring bridge between nations.
