Robert Irwin walked his sister Bindi down the aisle at her March 2020 wedding to Chandler Powell. Years later, he described the moment as emotionally complicated: he felt he was stepping into a role meant for their late father, Steve Irwin, and felt responsible for making the most of it on Steve’s behalf. Recent coverage emphasizes grief and imposter syndrome—not a reported direct quote in which Robert called himself “nervous” about the walk.
Why Robert walked Bindi down the aisle
Bindi and Chandler married at Australia Zoo in March 2020. Their plans changed during the early COVID-19 period, and the ceremony was very small; ET reported that guests could not attend. Robert escorted Bindi in place of their father, Steve, who died in 2006. ET’s account of the wedding describes the couple’s plans and Robert’s role.
The choice was one Bindi had anticipated. In a 2019 interview excerpt reproduced by ET, she said Robert would walk her down the aisle and that she believed their father would have wanted it. Robert said he was excited and honored when she asked. ET reported their earlier comments.
What Robert later said about the moment
In a 2026 appearance on CNN’s All There Is with Anderson Cooper, Robert revisited the aisle walk while speaking about grief. Parade and PerthNow, reporting on the podcast appearance, quoted him describing a sense of imposter syndrome and the feeling that he was taking on something that should have been his father’s role.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- WHITE WEDDING AISLE RUNNER: Our beautiful white-colored aisle runner will add a touch of elegance to any wedding. The runner is made of a non-woven fabric and features a classic floral scroll pattern.
- PROFESSIONAL WEDDING GRADE: The durable 60gsm fabric used to create our wedding runner is perfect for both indoor or outdoor use. As an added bonus, the runner includes double-sided tape that can easily adhere the fabric to surfaces such as hardwood, brick, tile or concrete.
- DESIGNED FOR EASY SETUP: Unlike other brands, our wedding aisle runner features a braided nylon cord and an adjustable hitch for easy rollout and setup. If the runner is too long, simply use a pair of scissors to trim it to the desired length. It's just that simple!
- GREAT FOR ALL TYPES OF SURFACES: Our well-crafted fabric runner is not just for weddings! Its sophisticated scroll design and easy setup make it the perfect decoration for prom, birthdays or parties.
- BRIDAL SUPPORT PROMISE: We’re honored to be part of your wedding day! If you need any help with your aisle runner, we are here to assist with setup, styling tips, or unexpected wedding day surprises. Your happiness is our priority!
PerthNow quoted Robert recalling that he felt “like this isn’t my job” and experienced “this weird sort of imposter syndrome.” Parade reported his explanation that he felt a responsibility to make the most of the moment for his father: “I need to enjoy this for him.” These reflections frame the experience as a mix of love, duty and grief—not simply ordinary wedding-day nerves.
He also remembered sitting in his backyard the night after the ceremony and releasing a lot of emotion. The remarks are reported by PerthNow and Parade, rather than presented here as a transcript of the original podcast.
Rank #2
- Suitable Size: measuring about 36 inch x 20 ft, our wedding aisle runner outdoor is the ideal size for beach garden lawn church ; The single side lace design adds a chic touch, with 5.91 inches/ 15 cm in width of the single sided lace
- Reliable Materials: burlap aisle runner for wedding made with credible jute materials and delicate lace, the outdoor wedding runners are safe and long lasting; Warm note: untreated jute fibers and burgundy fabrics have a distinctive odor that usually fades over time compared to the odor of kerosene, to speed up the process of removing odors, sprinkle a little baking soda on the fabric and let dry in a well ventilated area
- Elegant Atmosphere: with the suitable addition to any wedding, our burlap lace aisle runner helps create a beautiful scene that your guests will admire; Whether you're having a small intimate ceremony or a grand wedding, this wedding carpet rug adds a stylish touch
- Elegant Atmosphere: with the suitable addition to any wedding, our burlap lace aisle runner helps create a beautiful scene that your guests will admire; Whether you're having a small intimate ceremony or a grand wedding, this runner adds a stylish touch
- Wide Application: our wedding aisle decor can be applied for more than just wedding ceremonies; It's suitable for indoor or outdoor activities, award shows, bridal showers and anniversary, banquet, garden, engagement, beach, church, prom, birthday, celebration, baby shower, holiday and special event
How the family described the wedding at the time
Robert’s later account adds context to earlier comments about a day that was both happy and painful. In 2021, he said he was proud and happy for Bindi while wishing their father could have been there. He described feeling honored to be present on Steve’s behalf and called the day incredibly emotional and special. ET reported his reflections.
Terri Irwin later recalled that Robert wore khaki, connecting his outfit to Steve’s familiar clothing. She said seeing Robert’s emotion felt like his father coming through. Good Morning America reported Terri’s recollection.
Rank #3
- Natural material: It is made of high-density natural burlap material with a certain hardness, and not easy to crumple. Its excellent durability and tear-resistance ensure the perfect presentation on the wedding day. When not in use, it can be rolled up for storage and carry
- Longer size: With a total length of 20 feet and a width of 36 inch, the aisle runner is the perfect size to lay the long wedding aisle. It will lead the couple to the side of happiness. You can also use scissors to cut it into different lengths and shapes to make crafts
- Rustic aesthetics: Our burlap wedding aisle runner is an essential decoration for a wedding. It not only blends natural elements perfectly, but also adds a romantic atmosphere, making the wedding more warm. You can imagine walking on the carpet and entering the sacred wedding hall
- Lace decoration: Both sides of the carpet are decorated with 5.9'' wide lace carefully. This will not only enhance the firmness of the edge, but also add delicacy and romance. Everyone's gonna remember this special wedding
- Widely use: This burlap carpet roll is suitable for various wedding ceremonies, such as beach weddings, park weddings, church weddings, etc. It also used widely in indoor and outdoor activities, award ceremonies and home decoration. Showing unlimited creativity and practicality
Was Robert Irwin “nervous” about the aisle walk?
“Nervous” is a shorthand in the topic, not a direct description established by the cited remarks. The reported accounts describe Robert feeling honored, emotionally overwhelmed, responsible for experiencing the moment for his father, and later affected by grief. The clearest distinction is that he did not describe the role as unwanted: Bindi had chosen him, and he was excited and honored when she asked.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Natural Material: It is made of high-density natural burlap material with a certain hardness, and not easy to crumple. Its excellent durability and tear-resistance ensure the perfect presentation on the wedding day. When not in use, it can be rolled up for storage and carry
- Suitable Size: With a total length of 30 feet and a width of 36 inch, the aisle runner is the perfect size to lay the long wedding aisle. It will lead the couple to the side of happiness. You can also use scissors to cut it into different lengths and shapes to make crafts
- Rustic Aesthetics: Our burlap wedding aisle runner is an essential decoration for a wedding. It not only blends natural elements perfectly, but also adds a romantic atmosphere, making the wedding more warm. You can imagine walking on the carpet and entering the sacred wedding hall
- Lace Decoration: Both sides of the carpet are decorated with lace carefully. This will not only enhance the firmness of the edge, but also add delicacy and romance. Everyone's gonna remember this special wedding
- Widely Use: This burlap carpet roll is suitable for various wedding ceremonies, such as beach weddings, park weddings, church weddings, etc. It also used widely in indoor and outdoor activities, award ceremonies and home decoration. Showing unlimited creativity and practicality
Rank #4
- Suitable Size: measuring about 36 inch x 30 ft, our wedding aisle runner outdoor is the ideal size for beach garden lawn church; The single side lace design adds a chic touch, with 5.91 inches/ 15 cm in width of the single sided lace
- Reliable Materials: made with credible jute materials and delicate lace, the outdoor wedding runners are safe and long lasting; They will stay in pristine condition long after your special day is over
- Rustic Elegance: our wedding aisle runner adds a touch of rustic charm to every wedding ceremony; The lace trim looks very classic and rustic, adding beauty to the wedding
- Elegant Atmosphere: with the suitable addition to any wedding, our burlap lace aisle runner helps create a beautiful scene that your guests will admire; Whether you're having a small intimate ceremony or a grand wedding, this runner adds a stylish touch
- Wide Application: our wedding aisle decor can be applied for more than just wedding ceremonies; It's suitable for indoor or outdoor activities, award shows, bridal showers and other unusual events; Warm note: Untreated jute fibers and burgundy fabrics have a distinctive odor that usually fades over time compared to the odor of kerosene, to speed up the process of removing odors, sprinkle a little baking soda on the fabric and let dry in a well ventilated area
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
