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Nils Olav already has medals for good conduct and long service. He made honorary colonel-in-chief of the elite Norwegian King's Guard in 2005. And on Friday he was knighted. Not bad for a 3-foot tall penguin — actually, three of them.
A resident of Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, the original Nils Olav was made an honorary member of the King's Guard in 1972 after being picked out as the guard's mascot by lieutenant Nils Egelien. The guards adopted him because they often toured the zoo during their visits to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an annual military music festival, according to zoo spokeswoman Maxine Finlay.
The king penguin was named after Egelien and Norway's then-King Olav V. When the penguin died — Finlay said no one at the zoo knew exactly when — he was replaced by a second penguin, who inherited Nils Olav's name and rank.
The current Nils Olav, the third penguin to serve as the guards' mascot, was promoted from honorable regimental sergeant major to honorary colonel-in-chief in 2005, Finlay said.
The knighthood ceremony began Friday morning with speeches and a fanfare before Nils arrived, under escort with the King's Guard Color Detachment. Nils then reviewed the troops lined up outside the penguin enclosure at the zoo, waddling down the row of uniformed soldiers, occasionally stopping to crane his neck and peer inquisitively at their crisp uniforms before being guided forward by his handler.
Nils was then knighted by British Maj. Gen. Euan Loudon on behalf of Norway's King Harald V. Loudon dropped the king's sword on both sides of Nils's black-and-white frame, and the penguin's colonel-in-chief badge, tied to his flipper, was swapped for one symbolizing his knighthood.
"He'll be a "sir" now," Finlay said.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Published to:
- Raphael G. Satter's Column, All of Newsvine
- Groups: Linux Users
- Regions: United Kingdom , Norway
 | Military penguin becomes a 'Sir' | BBC News | Fri Aug 15 | 0 |
| New military honour for penguin | BBC News | Fri Aug 15 | 2 |
- Public Discussion (54)
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6.9
{"commentId":2462380,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
And people take the monarchy at all seriously?
{"commentId":2462380,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
- 4 votes
#1 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:57 AM EDT{"commentId":2462895,"authorDomain":"keggerlord-1"}
If I were a Norwegian soldier, I would be PISSED! I can almost imagine the conversation in the barracks:
"So let me get this straight, sarge... I have to shine my shoes, get my dress uniform pressed, get a haircut, polish up all my shiny @!$%#, buy new dress uniform medals since the ones I have are a little frayed... all so I can get inspected by a mother@!$%#ing PENGUIN?!?!? Yeah, can't wait to re-up on this contract!"
{"commentId":2462895,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"keggerlord-1"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":2463220,"authorDomain":"caroaber"}
I hope he gets a generous pension. And conjugal visits.
{"commentId":2463220,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"caroaber"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2463349,"authorDomain":"ianfwalter"}
all so I can get inspected by a mother@!$%#ing PENGUIN?!?!?
That, right there, is funny.
When I was in the service, we had a magpie that was always hanging around us, stirring up nonsense, harassing the local folk. A fine bird. We wanted to make him our official squadron mascot, but he ignored our many attempts to formally indoctrinate him into our outfit. Now I know why. We should have offered him a knighthood.
{"commentId":2463349,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"ianfwalter"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":2463516,"authorDomain":"nikki600095"}
Now I have heard everything!...obviously these people have everything in their lives and is not wanting for anything only then can they have the time and effort to do something crazy like this.
{"commentId":2463516,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"nikki600095"}
{"commentId":2463562,"authorDomain":"dturnbull"}
LINUX FTW!!!
{"commentId":2463562,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"dturnbull"}
- 9 votes
{"commentId":2463707,"authorDomain":"DayTrade4Life"}
{"commentId":2462435,"authorDomain":"mike-amata"}
THIS IS TOTALLY CRAP.
So all Norwegian "sirs" are now related to a penguin.
Imagine the smell.
{"commentId":2462435,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"mike-amata"}
- 2 votes
#2 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:01 AM EDT{"commentId":2463320,"authorDomain":"ianfwalter"}
THIS IS TOTALLY CRAP.
Yeesh. Now penguin knighting a hot-button issue?
{"commentId":2463320,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"ianfwalter"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":2463614,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
Yeesh. Now penguin knighting a hot-button issue?
Yeesh is right.
Relax naysayers...., Norway was just having some fun.
Ya' gotta' admit....it was a great photo op.
{"commentId":2463614,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":2464244,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
Relax naysayers...., Norway was just having some fun.
How much in tax euros did the people of Norway lose on this "fun?"
{"commentId":2464244,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2464390,"authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
How much in tax euros did the people of Norway lose on this "fun?"
Norway doesn't use Euros. Our currency is the Norwegian krone. International designation NOK.
How much did you pay for placing Bush on the carrier to say "Mission Accomplished"?
{"commentId":2464390,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
- 11 votes
{"commentId":2464506,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
You think I was in favor of that?
{"commentId":2464506,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2464673,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
How much in tax euros did the people of Norway lose on this "fun?"
Adipic, you are underestimating the value of a good photo op, as it pertains to tourism, as well as other revenue producing measures benefiting Norway's economy.
The event itself likely pulled in money for many local businesses, aside for being great global PR, boosting local moral, and bringing people together for an interesting fun event.
Besides, I like Norway, it's beautiful country, stop picking. :)
{"commentId":2464673,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":2464685,"authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
No, I didn't imply that, I'm just comparing waste with waste. Oddly, I haven't heard a word about this penguin ceremony here. We are rather strict about the treatment of animals - we didn't even have a zoo until quite recently and circuses may have to do without elephants.
Nils was then knighted by British Maj. Gen. Euan Loudon
There doesn't seem to be any source for this bit of news and the one bestowing the order is English, so the whole ceremony may have taken place in England. Our royal families are related. The uniforms you see in the photo are those of the royal guard, a parade uniform.
{"commentId":2464685,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2465734,"authorDomain":"keggerlord-1"}
Hi Erik,
Yeah, when it comes to waste, we're very fortunate in the United States; we pay two political parties to waste our money! ;)
Incidentally, after a trip to Stavanger, I decided that if I'm ever exiled from the US, I'm going to Norway! You're very fortunate to live in such a beautiful country! That and the babes.
*rrrrrrowr*
{"commentId":2465734,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"keggerlord-1"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2462593,"authorDomain":"silkmesh"}
{"commentId":2462639,"authorDomain":"take2la"}
SO when does it start marching, cause that's a really, really, really long walk from Norway to Antarctica.
Sir or not.
{"commentId":2462639,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"take2la"}
- 1 vote
#4 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:16 AM EDT{"commentId":2462662,"authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
I feel better about Norway knowing that this gallant knight is at the ready to protect the realm.
So, if Britain and Norway get in a war, will Sir Elton have to fight Sir Penguin?
{"commentId":2462662,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"fawnshore"}
- 8 votes
#5 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:17 AM EDT{"commentId":2462947,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
Sir Elton have to fight Sir Penguin?
Walt:
Sir Elton against a Penquin.
I think the Penquin might have an unfair advantage. ;-)
Have you seen the belly on Elton, these days?
{"commentId":2462947,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
- 7 votes
{"commentId":2462719,"authorDomain":"steve-sue"}
{"commentId":2462748,"authorDomain":"fallenmitten"}
PS the photo with the seed is really great.
{"commentId":2462748,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"fallenmitten"}
- 4 votes
#7 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:24 AM EDT{"commentId":2462871,"authorDomain":"fireynoga"}
Well ... penguins are my favorite animal so I think this is totally cute, hah.
{"commentId":2462871,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"fireynoga"}
#8 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:34 AM EDT{"commentId":2462891,"authorDomain":"fireynoga"}
Well ... being that penguins are my favorite animal, I think it's cute, haha.
{"commentId":2462891,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"fireynoga"}
- 7 votes
#9 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:36 AM EDT{"commentId":2463041,"authorDomain":"silkmesh"}
Babel Fish
Comment collapsed by the community
Comment collapsed by the community{"commentId":2463177,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
Tux finally receives the honor he deserves.
{"commentId":2463177,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
- 6 votes
#11 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:59 AM EDT{"commentId":2463405,"authorDomain":"Brad-Leclerc"}
HAH
{"commentId":2463405,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"Brad-Leclerc"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2463308,"authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
Now, let me get this straight, this penguin is given an English title, NOT a Norwegian one? No one in Norway is a "sir", Except for our core royal family, there are no titles of nobility here. (no earls, lords, counts or whatever). We do have medals of various kinds, but these do not imply nobility of any kind.
{"commentId":2463308,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
- 7 votes
#12 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:08 AM EDT{"commentId":2463530,"authorDomain":"CurrentResident"}
When I read this, why did I think of the book "Animal Farm"?
{"commentId":2463530,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"CurrentResident"}
- 4 votes
#13 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:25 AM EDT{"commentId":2463967,"authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
why did I think of the book "Animal Farm"?
Well, you may recall those pigs in Animal Farm walked on two legs when they relaxed among themselves in the main house. That way they revealed that they were turning more and more like the former rulers of the farm, the humans. This NIls Olav is already openly flaunting his two legged walk!
Or maybe we are seeing the start of a rule by proxy in Norway: "Whoever rocks the penguin, rules the world!"
{"commentId":2463967,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":2465688,"authorDomain":"CurrentResident"}
I meant it more as a rhetorical question.
But you make interesting observations.
{"commentId":2465688,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"CurrentResident"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2464324,"authorDomain":"silkmesh"}
{"commentId":2464766,"authorDomain":"dcstone01"}
In all seriousness, Thanks for the biggest laugh I had today.
Isn't it great?
If this is the worst thing we can complain about today, then things must be getting better.
The pictures were delightful.
Thanks
{"commentId":2464766,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"dcstone01"}
- 6 votes
#15 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:01 PM EDT{"commentId":2464803,"authorDomain":"nitewingsg1"}
I'm all for an even trade, King Nils Olav, for King George Bush. I know, we would be getting the better of the deal, so if we'll throw in Lord Dick Cheney, or is he considered as Prince Dick ?
{"commentId":2464803,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"nitewingsg1"}
- 2 votes
#16 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:04 PM EDT{"commentId":2467837,"authorDomain":"nitewingsg1"}
Well no one took the bait.
The response would have been, they turned a King into a Night, and The Supreme Court took a Moron and made him a President.
The penguin would easier to clean up after.
They both make the same funny sounds when they try and speak.
The penguin is easier to understand.
{"commentId":2467837,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"nitewingsg1"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2464822,"authorDomain":"inghar2004"}
I agree with Shaun, it was a bit of fun. How much money do YOU "waste" on fun? And, imho, penguins are noble creatures, Would any man I know sit for 6 months in the dark at -60 degrees to keep an egg warm? I think not! Lighten up on penguins, sheesh:-)
{"commentId":2464822,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"inghar2004"}
- 6 votes
#17 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:06 PM EDT{"commentId":2464862,"authorDomain":"mari416374"}
LOL this is funny
{"commentId":2464862,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"mari416374"}
- 3 votes
#18 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:09 PM EDT{"commentId":2465215,"authorDomain":"witchofthenorth"}
Go Norway! - this is exactly how seriously we should be taking any of these titles.
{"commentId":2465215,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"witchofthenorth"}
- 5 votes
#19 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:38 PM EDT{"commentId":2482697,"authorDomain":"inghar2004"}
Right on, Glinda, precisely.
{"commentId":2482697,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"inghar2004"}
{"commentId":2465309,"authorDomain":"djd"}
Arise Sir Chocolate Biscuit.
{"commentId":2465309,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"djd"}
- 3 votes
#20 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:46 PM EDT{"commentId":2465469,"authorDomain":"beamerab3"}
Oh, c'mon. They are really just having some fun. When it comes down to brass tacks, it's just an overblown "mascot ceremony."
Think about american tax dollars that are spent on "Easter Egg Hunts." And, when a russian exchange student asked me why the POTUS was pardoning a turkey, the look of pure disgust/disdain on his face had me laughing for half an hour. (I still chuckle today.)
And besides: it's cute. C'mon. The penguins are soooo cuuuuuuuuuuuute. Of course, their beaks are sharp enough to disembowel you with a single jab if you piss'em off, but -- when they are not attacking you -- they really are quite cute!
Not really news-worthy, but it shows that some people in the world really do have a sense of humor, which is sorely needed in these troubling times.
{"commentId":2465469,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"beamerab3"}
- 6 votes
#21 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:58 PM EDT{"commentId":2466038,"authorDomain":"douglas-douglasadams"}
{"commentId":2466097,"authorDomain":"jasengroves"}
I think it's great that a country can embrace it's culture like this. I say we give Sam the Bald Eagle a higher military rank.
{"commentId":2466097,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"jasengroves"}
- 3 votes
#23 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:56 PM EDT{"commentId":2466231,"authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
Just in: (from BBC World Service) Nils Olav lives at the Edinborogh Zoo. The Norwegian Royal Guard were visiting for the ceremony. The penguin is part of Scotch nobility. Truth will out!
{"commentId":2466231,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
- 2 votes
#24 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:08 PM EDT{"commentId":2466566,"authorDomain":"henry-vandekooij"}
I had to look twice at this picture, I almost had that penguin confused with our George W, it was probably the walking that distracted me their for a second.
{"commentId":2466566,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"henry-vandekooij"}
- 2 votes
#25 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:35 PM EDT{"commentId":2466896,"authorDomain":"rfgpo"}
Why does everything nowadays have to be about money? Can people not have a good time anymore? I guess you all would have been happier if the story was about another war, flood, famine, or terrorist attack. It was a good fuzzy warm story, nobody got hurt and nothing was destroyed. Money is not everything. Its nice to have but it doesnt mean everything. And whats the point in having it if you can not spend it the way you want.
{"commentId":2466896,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"rfgpo"}
- 4 votes
#26 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:01 PM EDT{"commentId":2467608,"authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
The voice of reason ideed :-)
{"commentId":2467608,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"eriktheread"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2471592,"authorDomain":"henry-vandekooij"}
Money saves the life of penguins...........................
{"commentId":2471592,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"henry-vandekooij"}
- 3 votes
#27 - Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:17 AM EDT{"commentId":2471850,"authorDomain":"douglas-douglasadams"}
{"commentId":2472532,"authorDomain":"SuchaBastard"}
I think it is a kind gesture to a noble animal. This action has obviously drawn world wide attention. Therefore, the penguins in zoos and wildlife refuges will get a little more attention from caring people this year.
{"commentId":2472532,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"SuchaBastard"}
- 2 votes
#28 - Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:53 AM EDT{"commentId":2472676,"authorDomain":"douglas-douglasadams"}
{"commentId":2473594,"authorDomain":"take2la"}
{"commentId":2473594,"threadId":"332485","contentId":"1750622","authorDomain":"take2la"}
#29 - Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:31 PM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"332485","isPrivate":false}
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