Bindi Irwin’s wedding to Chandler Powell last month was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.
But in the weeks since the couple said ‘I do’, many Australians turned their backs on the Irwin family.
A growing number of people believe the ceremony was too commercial after it was featured in a U.S. television special that has yet to even air Down Under.
The fact the photos also appeared in an American magazine, People, before being published in Australia also didn’t go down well.
The day Australia turned its back on the Irwins: How Bindi and Chandler’s televised wedding left a bad taste in the mouths of those who had supported them from the start
Bindi and Chandler raced down the aisle at Australia Zoo in Queensland on March 25, after the coronavirus pandemic sabotaged their plans for a big wedding.
Fans first saw a glimpse of the nuptials via aerial footage that aired on local news showing planners setting up the intimate ceremony.
The video raised eyebrows because at least five people could be seen gathering around Bindi holding umbrellas in spite of social distancing guidelines.
The purpose of this was to protect the couple’s TV and magazine deals, which would have been spoiled if Bindi was shown on camera wearing her dress.
TV ready: Bindi and Chandler raced down the aisle at Australia Zoo on March 25, after the coronavirus pandemic sabotaged their plans for a big wedding. Had they waited until their scheduled date of April 4, they wouldn’t have been able to have a camera crew present
Controversial: Fans first saw a glimpse of the nuptials via aerial footage that aired on local news. Despite social distancing guidelines, at least five people could be seen gathering around Bindi to conceal her wedding dress, thereby protecting her TV and magazine deals
The lovebirds said ‘I do’ just hours before Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s restrictions on weddings were enforced at 11.59pm that day.
If they had waited until their scheduled wedding date of April 4, they would only have been allowed the celebrant and two witnesses to join them for the ceremony.
This would have meant the crew for Crikey! It’s the Irwins would not have been able to film the wedding for U.S. cable channel Animal Planet.
‘So weird’: Despite the ceremony taking place at Australia Zoo, Bindi and Chandler’s wedding special premiered exclusively in the U.S. and will not air Down Under until July 18
When their wedding special was broadcast on Saturday night, the newlyweds faced a backlash from fans in Australia.
Despite the ceremony taking place at Australia Zoo, the show premiered exclusively in the U.S. and will not air Down Under until July 18.
To make matters worse, Australians will actually be the last people in the world to watch it, weeks after other territories including the UK and New Zealand and Taiwan.
The Irwin family has said that ‘programming is out of our control’.
Bottom of the list: To make matters worse, Australians will actually be the last people in the world to watch it, weeks after other territories including the UK and New Zealand and Taiwan
Statement: The Irwin family has said that ‘programming is out of our control’
Bindi and Chandler have released limited edition merchandise since getting married.
‘Chandler and I are thrilled to be sharing our wedding candles with you,’ Bindi wrote on Instagram March 28 while promoting the $49.95 merchandise.
Terri Irwin is also selling signed copies of the family’s quarterly magazine, Crikey!, which includes exclusive wedding photos.
‘Do they actually think they’re the Royal family?’ one Australian wrote on Facebook, dismissing the merchandise as ‘crass’.
‘Do they actually think they’re the royal family?’ Bindi and Chandler have released limited edition merchandise since getting married, prompting a backlash from some fans
‘Special edition’: Terri Irwin spruiked signed copies of Bindi and Chandler’s special edition wedding issue of the family’s quarterly Crikey! magazine on Twitter this week
Many others questioned the price of the candles and the timing of their release as thousands of people struggle with unemployment due to COVID-19.
‘Who would pay $50 for a candle when people are losing their jobs. Disappointing,’ one person wrote.
Despite the backlash, the family has said all proceeds will go ‘directly to funding conservation initiatives’ at Australia Zoo and caring for their 1,200 animals.
Good cause: Despite the merchandise backlash, the family have said all proceeds go ‘directly to funding conservation initiatives’ at Australia Zoo and their animals. Pictured: Terri Irwin
Famous family: The Irwins film their Animal Planet reality show at Australia Zoo. Pictured: Robert Irwin, Terri Irwin, Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell on March 3, 2019