Saturday, September 4, marked 15 years to the day since Steve Irwin died when a stingray pierced his heart. His daughter Bindi Irwin has now paid tribute to her dad on the anniversary of his death, calling him her daughter’s “guardian angel”.

In a Twitter post, the 23-year-old revealed that her six-month-old daughter Grace Warrior, with whom she shares with her husband Chandler Powell, “lights up” when she sees The Crocodile Hunter on the screen.

“This sweetheart lights up seeing her ‘Grandpa Crocodile’ on screen,” Bindi wrote, alongside an adorable pic of Grace and a throwback pic of herself and Steve. “I wish that dad could hug my beautiful girl. It’s been 15 years since he passed away. I hold on to the thought that he’s her guardian angel now, watching over the most special part of my life, Grace.”

Fans of Bindi’s were quick to comment on the moving post, with Twitter user @bobbymarriott writing: “There are days that I miss your dad. I do not want to imagine the pain you must feel when you miss him. He was always so proud of you and he loved you so much. I hope you find some comfort in the hours of video footage of you two together. It is a gift. Your Grace is beautiful.”

@NLearning30 added: “beautifully said, Bindi. And I’ll bet he is right there, guarding her as he is still guarding you and your brother and his wonderful wife who is a hero in her own right.”

While @BES61Principal said: “The way he looks at you in wonder, while you gaze in wonder at the natural world around you, sets the whole tone of your life. There was no choice but for you to be a wildlife warrior, and pass that on to the ‘Crocodile Granddaughter’.”

Bindi’s post comes as her younger brother Robert shared a cute throwback pic of himself with his late dad. Robert simply captioned the adorable pic with a love heart emoji.