Penguin on parade: The day they knighted a very special bird

They stood ramrod-straight on parade, desperate to impress the VIP.

After all it's not every day you're inspected by a penguin with a knighthood.

Sir Nils Olav, a resident of Edinburgh Zoo, was given his honour on behalf of King Harald of Norway in today's ceremony attended by 130 Norwegian Royal Guardsmen.

It was gently clipped to his wing.

Olav, a king penguin, is the third generation of his kind to enjoy a unique relationship with the Guards, who adopted his predecessor in 1962.

The bird waddled out to the cheers of hundreds of visitors and dignitaries to receive the accolade.

It was quite a step up for him – even though he is already a colonel.