Bindi Irwin has celebrated her third trimester by re-creating a 17-year-old maternity photo originally posed for by her parents, Terri and the late Steve Irwin.
Terri was pregnant with Bindi’s younger brother, Robert, at that time.
On Jan. 8, 2021, the pregnant “Wildlife Warrior” posted a photo of her husband, Chandler Powell, kissing her bare belly on Instagram, captioned, “Recreating a very special moment. Third trimester love.”
She also posted the original photo of her late father and herself, as a child, kissing Terri’s belly beside the tribute, for comparison.
The expectant couple’s photo re-creation proved divisive among netizens. Some criticized Bindi and Chandler for emulating the past, while others celebrated the side-by-side comparison as a sweet homage to Bindi’s parents.
Australia Zoo reposted the photos on Facebook, captioned, “We’re not crying, you’re crying! How cute is this recreation photo Bindi & Chandler did of Steve & Terri?! We can’t wait for the arrival of our baby Wildlife Warrior.”
This time, netizens flocked to the comments section in support of the expectant couple.
Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin attend The Paley Center For Media Presents: An Evening With The Irwins at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 3, 2019. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
“I can’t believe some people are being so mean about this,” wrote one netizen. “You want to honor your late dad, who was a fab dad, and you could never forget him. I think its a beautiful tribute to him.”
“When my girls grow up and one or all of them recreate a photo like this I would feel so honored,” wrote another. “This is such a beautiful moment and such a wonderful tribute.”
Chandler and Bindi attend Steve Irwin's posthumous Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood, Calif., on April 26, 2018 David Livingston/Getty Images
Bindi, 22, married 24-year-old Chandler in an impromptu ceremony at Australia Zoo in Queensland in March 2020 amid the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, pandemic. The pair have been vocal about their excitement to become parents since Bindi first announced her pregnancy in August 2020.
Exclaiming, “Baby Wildlife Warrior due 2021,” on Instagram, Bindi added that it was “an honor” to share such a special moment with the world.
“Though I’m still in my first trimester, we really want you to be part of our journey from the beginning of this new life chapter,” she said. “[T]his beautiful little being has become the most important part of our lives. Your support means the world to us.”
(L-R) Conservationists Robert, Terri, and Bindi Irwin with wakeboarder Chandler Powell, attending Steve Irwin's posthumous Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood, Calif., on April 26, 2018 David Livingston/Getty Images
Reacting to the announcement, Bindi’s mom, Terri, 56, claimed on Twitter that her late husband would be proud of their daughter. “Words cannot express the love that is filling my heart,” she expressed.
Steve Irwin, popularly known as “The Crocodile Hunter,” lost his life during a diving expedition in September 2006 at the age of 44.
Bindi and Chandler’s baby, a girl, is due this spring.
