The World’s Highest Ranking Penguin According to the Guinness Book of World Records

Sir Nils Olav is a penguin, and he was just promoted to Attorney General. Wait…before you think this is some kind of scam, keep on reading. We promise that you won’t be disappointed. After all, who wouldn’t want to watch a video of an actual penguin being promoted to the position of Attorney General?

A Penguin is Promoted

In August of 2023, Sir Nils Olav was promoted to the position of Attorney General for the example he has set among the other penguins in the Edinburgh Zoo, in Scotland, U.K. And now, this penguin is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records to be the “World’s highest-ranking penguin.”

This penguin’s journey starts back in “1961, when the Norwegian King’s Guard visited the Edinburgh Military Tattoo for a drill display, Major Nils Egelien fell in love with the penguin colony, saying the regal march of the king penguins reminded him of how the King’s Guard soldiers marched.” 

Here is the progression of Sir. Nils Olva’s journey is below, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. 

• 1972 – Lance Corporal
• 1982 – Corporal
• 1987 – Sergeant
• 1993 – Regimental Sergeant Major
• 2001 – Honourable Regimental Sergeant Major
• 2005 – Colonel-in-Chief
•  2008 – Knighthood (he was Knighted by King Harald V of Norway – son of King Olav V)
•  2016 – Brigadier
• 2023  – Attorney General

But, his journey did not end as a Brigadier! He was newly promoted to the position of Attorney General in 2023. The King’s Guard Band and the Drill Team of Norway were present for the promotion of this penguin to the third highest rank in the Norwegian army. 

Where Do Penguins Live?

You might be joining people in the thought that all penguins have to live on ice to survive. And if you thought that’s how they live, it’s okay. Hollywood has dramatized penguins, and much misinformation floats around regarding them.

There are only two species of penguin, the Adélie and the emperor, that have to live on the icy Antarctic continent, and they live there exclusively from the other penguin species. Other than that, the other penguin species can be found living in a variety of different weather. 
“Penguins are only found in the Southern Hemisphere.” Penguins can be found in places like Angola, Australia, Chile, Namibia, New Zealand, and South Africa, to name a few. And, of course, we can find penguins in zoos all around the world, like the newly appointed Attorney General in the Edinburgh Zoo.

Watch The Incredible Video Below!