Bindi Sue Irwin got engaged on her 21st birthday to her longtime boyfriend, Chandler Powell. Irwin said “yes” to Powell after he proposed to her at the Australian Zoo, the same place they met more than six years ago. Now, she is honoring her late father, Steve Irwin, by asking her younger brother, Robert, to walk her down the aisle.
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On Instagram, Powell said that “…proposing [to her] in her very favorite place in the zoo, surrounded by animals, seemed like the perfect way to embark on this incredible new chapter in our lives.” And Irwin agreed, writing, “Close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you and every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure and true happiness.” The 21-year-old said she can’t wait to spend forever with her fiancé.
Shortly after making the engagement public, Irwin’s mom, Terri, also congratulated her daughter and future son-in-law on Twitter. She called the day of the engagement that “best day ever,” adding that she is “so very happy, and I know Steve would be too.”
And while Irwin admitted that her father’s absence has been felt hard during this happy time in her life, her younger brother, 15-year-old Robert Irwin, has stepped up in major ways. One of those ways was agreeing to walk her down the aisle on her big day.
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Robert told Kelly Clarkson on her new talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, that he “was so incredibly touched when Bindi said, ‘Robert, would you walk me down the aisle?'” He added that he knows their “dad would be so proud of you and we all love you so much. You’re achieving so much, so it’s such an honor, you know.”
Robert’s sweet words had host Kelly Clarkson and fellow guest, actress Kristen Chenoweth, nearly in tears. In an earlier interview with Entertainment Tonight, Irwin said having Robert walk her down the aisle is something she really wants.
“I think that when the time comes and we do get married, I think that for me it will be really important that Robert walks me down the aisle and that’s something I really want to do. Ever since Dad passed away, as a little girl, you always think about your wedding day and I’m always so thankful that Robert is there and he has been such a big part of my life. He’s always stepped up and been the one to give me a hug when I need it and encourage me forward in life. […] I think that will make it really special and I think Dad would have wanted that way as well.”
Steve Irwin passed away on September 4, 2006, at 44 years old. Bindi was just 8 years old and Robert was only three.
The exact date of Irwin and Chandler’s nuptials is not known. However, the pair does plan to exchange vows in 2020.
Irwin shared on Instagram that wedding planning “is in full swing” and she’s getting a lot of support from her mom as it inches closure and closure to the big day. Just two weeks ago, Irwin revealed that she said “yes to the dress” she plans to wear.
Fans on the Irwin clan can get a closure look into her and Chandler’s relationship during their reality show on Animal Planet called Crikey! It’s The Irwins, which premiered on October 5.
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