When the original Nils died in 1993, he was replaced by a new king penguin who was immediately promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major. He has risen from a lowly Lance Corporal in 1962, and was bestowed his last honour of Honorary Colonel-in-Chief in 2005. On subsequent visits to the capital, the Norwegians have promoted Nils six times. The penguin’s name comes from Mr Egelien who discovered him, and the then King Olav of Norway. On a return visit ten years later, he persuaded his regiment to sponsor a king penguin, which they duly adopted as their mascot. The Scandinavian country’s association with the zoo’s famous penguins stretches back to 1962 when young lieutenant Nils Egelien discovered the animals on a visit during the army’s first Tattoo appearance. On their last pilgrimage to the zoo, the Norwegian’s unveiled a four foot-high bronze statue in honour of Nils. “We’re all very excited about his new promotion and we’ve all been wondering what it could be.” The promotion of the honorary winged member of The Royal Norwegian Guard was originally shrouded in secrecy, and was known only by Norway’s King and those closest to him.ĭarren McGarry, animal collection manager at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “Nils always recognises the Norwegian Guardsmen when they come to visit him. King’s Guards Trumpet Corps, and a special Royal message from King Harold V was read out to the proud bird. The majestic king penguin inspected the line of soldiers before receiving his decoration from Major Egelien, who attached the medal to the flightless bird’s wing.Ī musical fanfare from H.M.
The world’s most celebrated bird – adopted by the troops in 1962 – waddled out to cheers from hundreds of visitors and dignitaries to accept his latest accolade.Īnd he went on to accept the Knighthood from retired Major Nils Egelien, Vice President of the Norwegian Royal Guard Association. A PENGUIN sponsored by the King’s Guards of Norway has p-p-p-picked up a special promotion – a Knighthood.Ī ceremony involving 130 Norwegian Royal Guardsmen conferred their latest honour on the newly-titled Sir Nils Olav at Edinburgh Zoo.