Robert Irwin was “overcome with emotion” after seeing the wax figure of his dad, the late Steve Irwin, at Madame Tussauds for the first time.
A conservationist and zookeeper like his father, the 20-year-old came upon his father’s sculpture at the unveiling of his own wax figure at Madame Tussauds Sydney on Thursday.
“That is amazing. It’s the first time in a long time that he’s not just a picture,” Robert said, fighting back tears.
The TV star took a deep breath as he shook his head before walking away, as seen in a video posted by News.com.au.
Steve Irwin died in 2006 following an attack by a stingray. Robert was just 2 at the time. He now works alongside his sister, Bindi, 26, at the Australia Zoo, which his dad and his mom, Terri Irwin, owned.
Robert is the youngest person to be recreated in wax form at Madame Tussauds Sydney.
“This is one of the most surreal moments of my entire life. This is just incredible,” Robert said of his honor during an appearance on the Australian morning show “Sunrise.”
“I just keep looking at every little bit going, ‘It’s me! It is me!’ I don’t know if the world is ready for two of me.”
Robert also spoke about seeing his dad’s wax figure — created in 2015 — which is placed not far from his.
“It was the first time I’d ever gotten to see my dad’s wax figure. I’d seen pictures of it, but I’d never seen it in real life,” he shared.
“I was overcome with emotion. And I didn’t think that was gonna happen, but I was actually quite emotional seeing it. Dad, for the last 17 years of my life, has been pictures and video, and to actually see him kind of just standing there, it was a lot. It was actually a lot to take in.”
Recalling the experience was also emotional for Robert, as he again choked back tears.
“It was very emotional,” he continued. “But you know what? My life’s about continuing his legacy, so the fact that I get to be there with him now means a lot. I’m truly so grateful.”
Robert recently received another honor, being named a global ambassador for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, a global challenge created by the Prince of Wales that aims to fix the world’s biggest environmental problems.
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