Bindi Irwin’s Fiancé Chandler Powell Excited About Wedding Despite Shocking Family Drama

Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell are getting married next year. Ahead of their wedding, the wakeboarder has expressed his excitement for their big day despite all the family drama plaguing his wife-to-be.

On Saturday, Powell took to Instagram to share a snap of him and the daughter of the late Steve Irwin smiling for the camera. Also visible in the photo is a meerkat perched on his right shoulder.

Chandler wittily voiced his excitement for their nuptials in the caption for his post that read: “Cannot wait to ‘meer-y’ this girl [at Australia Zoo] next year.”

Bindi also showed some enthusiasm for their wedding on her own Instagram account. She apparently teased her wedding dress to her fans by posting a snap of her hand and a portion of her gown’s intricate sleeve. She also showed off her huge engagement sparkler in the same picture.

Powell’s and Irwin’s posts came amid reports about the latter’s tarnished relationship with her grandfather Bob. Steve’s father, who is the founder of the Australia Zoo, initially refused to congratulate his granddaughter on her engagement and imminent wedding.

In an interview earlier this month, Bob said that his “thoughts have nothing to do with any of it” when asked to comment on Bindi’s engagement. He also said that he is not the “slightest bit interested” in the “DWTS” Season 21 winner’s wedding.

Bob’s shocking statements caused Bindi’s mother Terri to voice her disappointment because Steve’s father couldn’t be happy for their daughter. It should be noted that in 2015, Bob publicly confirmed that he and Bindi’s family were no longer on speaking terms.

A week after his recent interview circulated and raised eyebrows, Bob clarified that he just made an “honest mistake” during the interview. But Bindi didn’t buy her grandfather’s clarification. She even threw some subtle shade at the 80-year-old conservationist.

First, she thanked her mom for “being the most amazing support” while she and Chandler are preparing for their wedding. Then, she quoted a cryptic message on social media that said: “Life is too short to waste time waiting for other people’s approval on how you live it.”