Bindi Irwin: Dad would have wanted my brother to walk me down the aisle

Bindi Irwin has said her teenaged brother will walk her down the aisle on her wedding day as it is what her late father would have wanted.

The wildlife conservationist announced earlier this week that she had got engaged to her long-term boyfriend Chandler Powell, who she called the “love of her life”.

Powell proposed on Irwin’s 21st birthday.

Read more: Russell Crowe’s $25K engagement gift to Bindi

Irwin’s father Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray in 2006, but she has revealed that she has found ways to honour him on her big day.

She told Entertainment Tonight: “I think that for me, it'll be really important that Robert (her 15-year-old brother) walks me down the aisle.

“That's something that I really want to do.

"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.”

"And I think that's what dad would have wanted as well," she added.

Irwin - who has followed in her Crocodile Hunter dad’s footsteps by continuing his conservation efforts - said she would share the father-daughter dance with her mother Terri Irwin.

She said: “I think, if I was going to do a dance, it would be with my mom. My mom and I are so close.

Read more: How Bindi and Robert cope with loss of dad

“She's my pillar of strength in life and I love her beyond description.

“So I think, when the time comes, Robert will walk me down the aisle, [Powell and I] will have our wonderful moment and I'll have my dance with mom.

“I think that would be wonderful.”