Robert Irwin shares unseen photos of late dad Steve Irwin to mark milestone 21st birthday

Robert Irwin has marked his milestone 21st birthday by sharing never-before-seen photos of his late dad, Steve Irwin.

Robert Irwin marked his 21st birthday in the most heartfelt way — by sharing throwback photos of his late father, Steve Irwin.

In a candid post shared on Instagram, Robert said he it was bittersweet celebrating life’s milestones without his dad, who died in 2006, when Robert was just two years old.

To keep Steve’s memory alive and ensure he was in someway part of the celebration, Robert shared two never-before-seen photos of the wildlife warrior when he turned 21.

Robert Irwin marked his milestone 21st birthday by sharing unseen photos of his dad Steve Irwin.

Steve was the same age of 21 when the photos were taken.

“Today I turn 21. I was looking through the archives a few days ago and I found these pictures of my dad on his 21st,” the conservationist and TV personality captioned the images.

“It can be hard to celebrate the milestones when there’s someone missing, but I will carry his memory and passion with me in this new chapter of life. I am one lucky guy to be surrounded by my amazing family today. Time to celebrate!”

Robert is missing his dad Steve on his milestone 21st birthday.

Robert was just two when Steve died in 2006.

Robert was no doubt surrounded by family on his big day, with sister Bindi Irwin also publicly sending him well wishes on Instagram.

“HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY, @robertirwinphotography!” she wrote alongside a carousel of happy snaps of the pair from their childhood through to her wedding day in 2020 and beyond.

“Best brother, best uncle, best friend. Here’s to every incredible adventure on the horizon. Love you so much and beyond proud of you.”

Sister Bindi Irwin shared throwback photos of the pair on Instagram.

She also posted a photo of Robert walking her down the aisle at her wedding.

Their mother, Terri Irwin, also shared a sweet throwback home video of Robert, which featured Steve role playing as a bad guy in a Western film.

“Happy 21st birthday @robertirwinphotography! Remembering all our fun family moments, and knowing your dad would be so proud of you. I love you, and I can’t wait for the adventures to come,” Terri captioned the video, which was filmed when Robert was just a toddler.

Terri Irwin shared a sweet home video of the family in her birthday greeting to Robert.

Robert was just a toddler in the video.

Robert was loving his dad Steve’s hilarious antics.

Ahead of his 21st birthday, Robert spoke to Stellar magazine about how challenging it was to mark the big day without his dad.

“It can be heartbreaking. I can’t beat around the bush. It’s really hard, particularly when it’s those milestones,” he said.

“It’s difficult navigating that without a father figure. But I have to really praise my entire family, and particularly my mum, on the way in which she’s stepped up, to make sure that – while there will always be part of myself missing and I’ll never be complete – I never felt like I missed out on anything.

“I hope that somewhere, somehow, he knows I’m trying to make him proud.”