Six-Year-Old Knighted

What do Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Nils Olav have in common? Okay, they’ve all been knighted. And who’s the odd man out? Sir Nils Olav is a penguin–well, the odd penguin out, if you may.

Three-foot high and six-year-old Nils Olav was granted a knighthood and the title of “Sir” last week, on behalf of Norway’s King Harald V. Loudon at a special ceremony held at his home in Edinburgh Zoo. Nils waddled out to “inspect” the 130 Royal Guardsmen on parade before being dubbed on each side of his head, which officially confirmed his knighthood. A medal was also attached to his flipper.

King Harald of Norway demonstrated how he rewards good service by honoring Nils, one of his most faithful servants. Calling him “our trusty and well-beloved” Nils, he declared the penguin to be “in every way qualified to receive the honor and dignity of knighthood.”

“It [the event] went extremely well and we are delighted that the Norwegian Guard honoured Nils Olav with a knighthood,” said Darren McGarry, a zoo manager. “We all enjoyed the occasion and Nils was a perfect penguin throughout.”

“Nils always recognizes the Norwegian guardsmen when they come to visit him,” he added. “He loves the attention he receives at the ceremony and takes his time inspecting the troops.”