Why was a penguin knighted by Norwegian Army?
The knighted Penguin in Edinburgh has already been a corporal, a sergeant, a sergeant major and a colonel in chief. The history of Nils Olav goes back to 1972 when the Norwegian King’s guards visited the Edinburgh zoo. They were looking at the Penguins in the zoo and were so thrilled to see the penguins that the Major at the time decided that he had like to adopt one penguin.
The adopted Penguin was named Nils Olav, after the Norwegian King at the time. Later in 1982 the Kings guards returned to Edinburgh and decided to make the penguin their mascot by giving him the rank of lance corporal. Unfortunately, he died shortly after his promotion to sergeant. But he was lovingly replaced by Nils Olav II, his two-year-old near-double.
It was Nils Olav II who was awarded the knighthood. And a third penguin, Nils Olav III took over between 2008 and 2016 and has been promoted to Brigadier.
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