Bindi Irwin reveals how she will include father Steve Irwin in her wedding to Chandler Powell

She was engaged to boyfriend of six years, Chandler Powell, 22, on her 21st birthday earlier this week. 

And now Bindi Irwin has revealed how she will include her late father, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, in the upcoming wedding ceremony.

She told Entertainment Tonight in her first interview since her ‘bittersweet’ engagement that she would like her brother Robert, 15, to take the place of her father and walk her down the aisle.

‘I think that for me, it’ll be really important that Robert walks me down the aisle. That’s something that I really want to do,’ she said. 

She says her brother, ‘always stepped up and been the one to give me a hug when I need it and encourage me forward in life’. 

In terms of walking her down the aisle, Bindi is sure Steve would approve of Robert stepping in. 

‘I think that’s what dad would have wanted as well,’ she added. 

Bindi gave away further details of the upcoming wedding, revealing she would have the ‘father and daughter’ dance with her mother, Terri Irwin, 55. 

Close: Bindi told E! that she would like her brother Robert, 15, (right) to take the place of her father and walk her down the aisle

He’d approve: Bindi says her brother, ‘always stepped up’. In terms of walking her down the aisle, Bindi is sure Steve would approve of Robert stepping in. ‘I think that’s what dad would have wanted as well,’ she added. Pictured with her father in 2006 

The conservationist said her elaborate engagement was bittersweet as she wished her dad was there. 

Speaking to ET, she admitted: ‘It was so incredibly special. But then, at the same time for me on a personal note, there’s people who I really wish could be here today for this time in my life. Particularly my dad.’

She added: ‘I wish that he could be here to be getting excited and welcome [Chandler] into the family, and I think that’s really challenging [for me].

So sweet: Bindi gave away further details of the upcoming wedding, revealing she would have the ‘father and daughter’ dance with her mother, Terri Irwin, 55 (left). ‘I think, if I was going to do a dance, it would be with my mom. My mom and I are so close. She’s my pillar of strength in life and I love her beyond description,’ she said

‘I think that Dad would have loved him so much and he would have been so excited that he’s now part of our family.’

The wedding date has not yet been publicly set, but it appears Bindi is already making plans for the nuptials. 

On Wednesday, Bindi and Chandler became engaged at Australia Zoo in Queensland on Wednesday, on what was her 21st birthday. 

Happy ever after! She was engaged to boyfriend of six years, Chandler, 22, on her 21st birthday earlier this week

Bindi shared heartwarming photos with her fans on Thursday after her award-winning wildlife photographer brother Robert captured the sweet moment she said, ‘Yes’ on camera.

Addressing her 2.5 million Instagram followers, the Wildlife Warrior gushed over the ‘most beautiful surprise’ and revealed that she had no idea that the proposal was going to take place, or that her brother was across the park taking photos. 

Bindi revealed: ‘Chandler and Robert worked together to capture the moment I said ‘YES’. We were in the gardens of Australia Zoo and it was beyond perfect.   

Bittersweet: The conservationist said her engagement was bittersweet. ‘It was so incredibly special. But then there’s people who I really wish could be here today for this time in my life. Particularly my dad.’ Bindi  is pictured with parents Terri and Steve in 2004

‘I never even knew Robert was there photographing and I’ll always be grateful to have these special memories of the most amazing day of my life.’ 

In the sweet selection of photographs, Bindi, who looked radiant in a navy floral mini dress, was seen gasping in surprise as Chandler bent down on one knee and presented her with a stunning diamond ring, before the beaming couple shared an intimate embrace.  

‘On my birthday I said ‘yes’ and ‘forever’ to the love of my life,’ Bindi wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of her engagement ring.

She added: ‘I wish that he could be here to be getting excited and welcome [Chandler] into the family, and I think that’s really challenging [for me]. ‘I think that Dad would have loved him so much and he would have been so excited that he’s now part of our family’

She added: ‘Chandler, close to six 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!’

In a separate Instagram post, Chandler wrote: ‘She said YES. Almost six years ago, we met at Australia Zoo. I immediately fell head over heels for her kind and thoughtful heart that radiates so much light.

Romantic! On Wednesday, she and Chandler shared pictures of the moment they were engaged at Australia Zoo in Queensland on Wednesday, her 21st birthday

So sweet! Bindi shared the heartwarming images with her fans on Thursday after her award-winning wildlife photographer brother Robert captured the sweet moment on camera

She wrote in a caption: ‘Chandler, close to six 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’

In a separate Instagram post, Chandler wrote: ‘She said YES. Almost six years ago, we met at Australia Zoo. I immediately fell head over heels for her kind and thoughtful heart that radiates so much light’

‘Proposing 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. Bee, I love you more than anything in this world and I always will. Happy Birthday.’    

The young couple, who have been dating for six years describe themselves as ‘soulmates’, first met at Australia Zoo in November 2013, where they work alongside Bindi’s mother Terri, and her brother Robert.

Despite celebrating both her 21st birthday and engagement, Bindi admitted it had been a ‘bittersweet’ day as she was celebrating without her father Steve, who tragically died nearly 13 years ago.

Thanks bro! Addressing her 2.5 million Instagram followers, Bindi gushed over the ‘most beautiful surprise’ and revealed that she had no idea that the proposal was going to take place, or that her brother was across the park taking photos. Pictured with brother Robert Irwin 

Speaking to the Sunshine Coast Daily, she explained: ‘I do really wish that dad was here to be able to celebrate with us as a family. I think in some ways he is and his spirit lives on in everything that we do, and I always feel closest to dad here at Australia Zoo.’ 

She added: ‘People have been so kind and sharing so much love and that means so much to me.’

Bittersweet: Despite celebrating both her 21st birthday and engagement, Bindi admitted it had been a ‘bittersweet’ day as she was celebrating without her father Steve, who tragically died nearly 13 years ago. Pictured: Robert, Terri and Bindi Irwin with Chandler Powell 

Steve Irwin, famously known as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, tragically died from fatal stingray barb to the heart while filming footage for his daughter’s show in Batt Reef in 2006. He was 44 years old.

Steve rose to international fame due to his quintessential Aussie accent, his lively presenting style on television, and his iconic catchphrase, ‘Crikey!’

In an emotional interview days before her birthday, Bindi revealed she still has moments where she breaks down over the loss of her dad.

Happy: The couple, who have been dating for six years, delighted fans  with their engagement 

‘Some days you feel the grief more than others. What gets to me are those moments when I’d love him to be here to share what we’re doing,’ she told Stellar magazine.

‘It could be when my brother is receiving an accolade for his photography, or it might be at the end of the day when we’re having dinner and laughing. I’ll think: ‘I wish Dad was here for this.’ But he’s just not there.’

Bindi added that recently, just seeing footage of her charismatic father doing what he did best left her in tears. 

Too soon: Steve Irwin, famously known as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, tragically died from fatal stingray barb to the heart while filming footage for his daughter’s show in Batt Reef in 2006. He was 44 years old. Pictured in 1998 

‘There’s old footage of dad with the crocodiles and, even though I’ve seen the video maybe 50 times, that day I started crying,’ she told the magazine.

Bindi captured the hearts of the Australian public, and all over the world, after she delivered a heartwarming eulogy for her father at his funeral when she was just eight years old.

She has since grown up to follow in her dad’s footsteps, landing her own nature documentary series, Bindi the Jungle Girl at the age of nine. The star also hosted Bindi’s Bootcamp, a wildlife-themed game show in 2012.