Here we see Sir Nils Olav, colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King's Guard as he ins--
I'm talking about the penguin by the way - as he inspects his soldiers during a promotion
ceremony.
Who's being promoted?
Why, him of course.
So how did this penguin receive such a prestigious role?
Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland - yes, Scotland, it'll make more sense soon - was opened in
1913.
It was the first zoo in the world to house and breed penguins, after the shipping magnate
Christian Salvesen presented three king penguins to the zoo upon returning from a whaling expedition
in 1914.
The company was founded in 1872 in Scotland by Norwegian business man Salve Christian
Frederik Salvesen - beginning a long, strange relationship between Scotland, Norway and
the penguins this company gave to Edinburgh zoo.
In 1919, these penguins successfully hatched a king penguin chick, which was the first
penguin to ever be hatched in captivity.
For these reasons, Edinburgh Zoo has become somewhat famous for its penguins, and now
hosts a daily penguin parade.
This tradition began in 1950 by accident, as a number of the birds had escaped.
While trying to round up the penguins, the zookeepers noticed the visitors were very
amused by the antics, and this incident lead to the penguins being marched around every
day.
It's a very cute routine but I'll be honest I think I'd rather witness people chasing
after escaping penguins.
"quick! he's going for the penguin extender wings!"
"OH NO!"
nyyyyyowwwwww
The city of Edinburgh is also famous for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - an event
that first took place in 1949 and sees the British Armed Forces perform with Commonwealth
and international military bands.
The term "tattoo" comes from the 17th-century Dutch phrase doe den tap toe, which means
turn off the tap, and was a signal played by a regiments drum corp to instruct taverns
to stop serving ale, so that the soldiers would return at a reasonable hour and in a
reasonable state, i.e. not absolutely scuttered.
Today it just refers to a display of armed forces, or a performance of music by such.
So next time you see a military tatoo and you're thinking to yourself, wow, don't those
soldiers look so gallant and majestic, just remember this all originates from them not
being trustworthy enough to not come back to barracks three sheets to the wind.
If you're like me this will allow you to relate to those men and appreciate the ceremony all
the more.
The Norwegian King's Guard partook in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo of 1961.
While they were in the city, lieutenant Nils Egelien took an interest in the zoo's penguin
colony.
Given the penguin's association with Norway, and their historical signifigance, Egelien
thought it'd be a neat idea if the King's Gaurd were to adopt one as a mascot.
It wasn't until their return in 1972 that the regiment actually adopted a penguin.
This penguin was named Nils Olav, after Nils Egelien who had arranged the whole thing and
Norwegian King Olav V, who Nils Olav would now represent as a member of his King's Guard.
As mascot of the Norwegian King's Guard, Nils Olav was given the rank of lance corporal
and he receives a promotion every time the King's Guard returns to Edinburgh Zoo.
In 1982 he was made a corporal, and in 1987 he was promoted to sergeant - because every
unit needs a capable NCO with a good head on his shoulders.
Sadly, Nils Olav died shortly after this promotion, and assumedly just a few days before his retirement.
A second penguin, who looked almost identical, was adopted to take his place, Nils Olav II.
Olav II honoured his predecessor's memory by continuing his legacy of unfaltering service
and commitment to duty.
In 1993 he achieved the rank of regimental sergeant major, and in 2001 was promoted "honourable
regimental sergeant major".
In 2005 he was appointed colonel-in-chief of the King's Gaurd, and a 4-foot-high bronze
statue of Olav was presented to the zoo in honour of the military penguin.
In 2008 Olav was awarded a knighthood, personally approved by King Harald V. He is the first
penguin to receive such an honour.
Several hundred people watched on as the King's words were read aloud, describing Olav as
a penguin "in every way qualified to receive the honour and dignity of knighthood".
Correct.
Some time after this, Sir Nils Olav II passed away, and once again another penguin from
the colony at the zoo was chosen as his replacement.
In 2016, Nils Olav III was promoted to brigadier in ceremony - meaning the penguin had now
achieved a rank higher than Nils Egelien had during his time in service.
Olav must have been very proud.
Here you can see him at the ceremony.
He was worn his most fetching tuxedo for the proceedings.
He carefully inspects his kings gaurd and gives his approval to the lead man.
He then makes a heart-felt speech.
When he is about to be presented his new insignia infront of his statue, he doesn't seem overly
interested, after all, he didn't enlist for pomp and pageantry.
He does eventually accept the honour, and marches with the insignia affixed to his wing.
He is saluted, and makes sure to spend a little more time with the troops on his parade back.
Truly a commendable penguin.
Even with the pressure of measuring up to his fallen comrades, he proves he is not only
worthy of the title, but he does so with such grace and elegance one would think he was
born for the role.
Magnificent.
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