Photo: Larry Birkhead/Instagram
On Saturday, the 16-year-old daughter of the lateAnna Nicole Smithattended the 149th annual event with dad Larry, 50.
For his part, the photographer wore a light blue suit that complimented his daughter’s dress. He completed the look with a yellow tie and handkerchief, as well as a sunflower pinned to his lapel.
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Now that their appearance has become a tradition, Larry tells PEOPLE, “The stakes are always high on these outfits. People come to me and ask, ‘What is Dannielynn wearing? Are you going to match?’ The problem is the dresses keep getting more expensive!”
As Dannielynn finishes her junior year of high school, Larry says, “I’m super protective of her. She’s a really good kid. And hope I had a little bit to do with that.”
“But this is our own big event. Our Met Gala!” he adds with a laugh. “The one event we go to every year because she’s not ‘out there’ in public.”
This year marks the 20th anniversary of when Larry first met Anna Nicole at the annual Barnstable Brown Gala, which he was sent to cover as a young photographer. “It’s great to be part of something that changed my life in so many ways,” he says.
“I think her mom would be proud,” he adds. “She might tell me I should have dressed her in more pink — but I think she’d be happy. That she is the young lady she turned out to be.”
Last year, Dannielynn celebrated her 16th birthday and Larryhonored his not-so-little girl with a sweet tribute.
“Dannielynn is such a great kid and she makes me so proud every day,” he told PEOPLE at the time. “I can’t believe she is old enough to drive! It seems like yesterday I was pushing her in a toy car!”
The proud dad also posted a heartfelt message to his daughter onInstagramalongside a collage of images of Dannielynn through the years.
“She shot back in true Dannielynn style … ‘How do you know you weren’t even there?’ 😂 Ouch,” he shared. “I told her ‘maybe not, but I have been there every day since I brought you home.’ "
“It’s been a wild ride and Dannielynn has brought joy and laughter to my life. Stay off your local roads because Dannielynn is 16! Happy Birthday ❤️ Rock on 🎸 Mom is looking down! 😇,” he concluded the post.
source: people.com
