Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell Engaged
Bindi Irwin Pens a Beautiful Note to Her Father Ahead of Her Wedding: "Your Spirit Lives On"
Bindi Irwin, 21, is opening up about her plans to honour her late father and famed conservationist, Steve, at her wedding. After revealing that her 15-year-old brother, Robert, will walk her down the aisle before she marries longtime boyfriend Chandler Powell, Bindi penned a sweet letter to Steve, detailing how meaningful her brother has been in her life. "Dad, you would be so incredibly proud of Robert," she wrote. "He has been such an amazing support during this beautiful new life chapter. I know you'd be beaming with pride when the time comes that he walks me down the aisle. I wish you could be here for these moments, but I know that your spirit lives on in us."
Her heartfelt note comes days after she spoke about paying homage to Steve — who died from a stingray attack in 2006 — by having Robert escort her on the big day. "I think that for me, it'll be really important that Robert walks me down," she told Entertainment Tonight. "That's something that I really want to do."
She went on to share how happy she is to have Robert by her side. "I'm always so grateful that Robert is there, and he has been such a big part of my life and he's always stepped up and been the one to give me a hug when I need it and encourage me forward in life," she said. "So he will definitely be the one to walk me down the aisle when the time comes, and I think that will make it really special. And I think that's what dad would have wanted as well."
Bindi first revealed she was engaged on July 24 with two sweet photos on Instagram. While one snap features a close-up of her gorgeous engagement ring, the other shows her and Chandler warmly embracing each other. "On my birthday I said 'yes' and 'forever' to the love of my life," she wrote. "Chandler, close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you and every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure and true happiness. I'm so looking forwarding to spending our forever together as your wife. Here's to a lifetime of friendship, purpose and unconditional love. — Now let's get married already!"
Chandler also dished on how he was able to pull off the proposal, telling People, "After Bindi's birthday celebration at Australia Zoo, we had a photo shoot organised to celebrate her turning 21. Just before we started the shoot, I took her to a special part of Australia Zoo to ask the girl of my dreams to become my wife. These past five years together have been the best of my life and we look forward to a lifetime of magical moments to come."
Bindi and Chandler first met in November 2013, when the future groom was in Australia for a professional wakeboarding competition and took a trip to the Australia Zoo. Bindi — who works at the zoo, maintaining her father's legacy — was Chandler's tour guide, and the two formed an instant connection. "We haven't looked back since," Chandler told People.
Congrats to the happy couple!
