Nils Olav: The King Penguin Knighted as a Major General

The Penguin Who Outranks Your General

4k views·Posted 11 years ago·Updated 29 minutes ago

There is a king penguin at Edinburgh Zoo who holds a higher military rank than most serving officers. His name is Nils Olav, and he is the official mascot of the Norwegian King's Guard - the elite unit that guards the royal palace in Oslo.

A Career That Lasted 50 Years

The story began in 1972, when a Norwegian officer named Major Nils Egelien visited Edinburgh for the Royal Military Tattoo and adopted a king penguin at Edinburgh Zoo, naming him after both himself and the reigning King of Norway, King Olav. The title has since been passed down through three penguins, each continuing the same unbroken military career. From Corporal in 1982, to Sergeant in 1987, to Regimental Sergeant Major in 1993, to Colonel-in-Chief in 2005 - the ranks kept coming.

Knighted by the King of Norway

On 15 August 2008, Nils Olav became the first penguin in history to be knighted in the Norwegian Army. The honour was approved by King Harald V. Several hundred people attended the ceremony at Edinburgh Zoo as a sword was formally touched to the penguin's right and left shoulders. The soldiers of the King's Guard stood to attention throughout.

160 Soldiers. One Penguin.

Each time the King's Guard travels to Edinburgh for the Royal Military Tattoo, they stop at Edinburgh Zoo and hold a formal ceremony for their mascot. On 21 August 2023, over 160 uniformed soldiers of His Majesty the King of Norway's Guard Band and Drill Team lined up at Penguins Rock. They paraded past Nils Olav so he could inspect them. He was then promoted to Major General - confirmed by Guinness World Records as the highest rank ever held by a penguin on Earth.

Baron of the Bouvet Islands

His full title is now Major General Sir Nils Olav III, Baron of the Bouvet Islands - a Norwegian territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. Staff Sergeant Fredrik Gresseth of the King's Guard cited his "good conduct and for being a superb example for the rest of the penguins at Edinburgh Zoo" as grounds for the promotion. The penguin waddled through the parade and returned to his enclosure. He had been promoted six more times than most humans will ever be.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nils Olav the penguin?

Nils Olav is a king penguin at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland who serves as the official mascot of the Norwegian King's Guard. The name and associated military ranks have been passed down through three penguins since 1972, with each bird continuing the unbroken military career of its predecessor.

How did a penguin become a knight in Norway?

On 15 August 2008, King Harald V of Norway approved the knighthood of Nils Olav, making him the first penguin in history to receive such an honour in the Norwegian Army. The ceremony was held at Edinburgh Zoo, and a sword was formally touched to the penguin's shoulders in front of several hundred spectators.

What rank is Nils Olav now?

Nils Olav holds the rank of Major General - the highest rank ever held by a penguin, recognized by Guinness World Records. He was promoted on 21 August 2023 during a ceremony attended by over 160 uniformed soldiers of His Majesty the King of Norway's Guard.

Does Nils Olav actually inspect the troops?

Yes. Every time the Norwegian King's Guard visits Edinburgh for the Royal Military Tattoo, they hold a formal ceremony at Edinburgh Zoo. The soldiers march past Nils Olav in dress uniform so he can officially inspect the troops, after which he is promoted to his next rank.

What is the Baron of Bouvet Islands title?

As part of his full title - Major General Sir Nils Olav III, Baron of the Bouvet Islands - the penguin holds a baronial title over Bouvet Island, a Norwegian-owned territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most remote islands on Earth.