Edinburgh Zoo's king penguin inspects Norwegian royal guard

The King of Norway's Guard visits Edinburgh Zoo to bestow a unique honour upon the resident king penguin, Aug 22, 2016. [Photo/IC]

EDINBURGH - A very famous king penguin at the Edinburgh Zoo Monday inspected the King of Norway's Guard at the Zoo in a grand official ceremony amid rain.

Named Sir Nils Olav and as the mascot of the Norwegian royal Guard, the king penguin walked elegantly in front of about 50 uniformed soldiers of the Guard, who are again in Edinburgh for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, honored guests and scores of public visitors to the Zoo.

Residing in Penguins Rock at the Zoo, the king penguin was also awarded another arm badge for extraordinary new promotion and title after the honor of a knighthood, which was approved by Norwegian King Harald V, in a visit by the Guard soldiers in 2008.

Dating back in 1972, a lieutenant called Nils Egelien arranged for the Norwegian King's Guard to adopt a penguin at the Zoo. The penguin was named Nils Olav in honor of Nils Egelien, and King Olav V of Norway.

The name "Nils Olav" has also been given to two other king penguins who preceded the current Nils Olav as the mascot of the Norwegian King's Guard.