This photo was taken at the 2008 knighthood ceremony of Sir Nils Olav, a penguin who lives at the Edinburgh Zoo but is the official mascot of the Norwegian Royal Guard. In 1982, Nils Olav received his first Norwegian military promotion, to Corporal. As of 2005, his rank is Colonel-in-Chief. Periodically, the Norwegian Royal Guard visits Edinburgh, and Nils is called out to inspect the troops.
Of course, while national pride is forever, penguins only live so long. Most of the promotions and the knighthood have actually gone to the second Nils Olav, the first having died in the 1980s.
