Meet the world’s highest ranking penguin, Sir Nils is a Major General in Norwegian Army now

Arise, Sir Penguin 🐧🫡

The highest-ranking penguin in the world, Sir Nils Olav III, has been promoted to Major General by the Norwegian King’s Guard 🏅

Sir Nils now holds the third highest rank in the Norwegian Army!

Find out more about Sir Nils 👉 https://t.co/mQ4zGKqUbk pic.twitter.com/PVfw9KKz0H

— Edinburgh Zoo (@EdinburghZoo) August 21, 2023

Sir Nils was awarded his new badge of honour at a special ceremony at the wildlife conservation charity’s Penguins Rock. The regal black, white and yellow bird is the mascot of His Majesty the King of Norway’s Guard as far back as 1972. The name ‘Nils Olav’ and associated ranks have been passed down through three king penguins over the years, the current holder being Nils Olav III.

A king penguin at the Edinburgh Zoo was named after two people, Major Nils Egelien, who organised his adoption by Edinburgh Zoo in 1972, and the then-King of Norway, King Olav. The Guardsmen visit Sir Nils at the zoo every few years while they are in the city performing at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and give him a promotion, the Edinburgh Zoo said in a blog.

Since his adoption in 1972, he has worked his way up the ranks, starting at Mascot, before being promoted to Corporal in 1982, Sergeant in 1987, Regimental Sergeant Major in 1993, Honourable Regimental Sergeant Major in 2001, Colonel-in-Chief in 2005, Knighthood in 2008, Brigadier Sir in 2016 and now Major General in 2023, it wrote.