Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson's Relationship: A Look Back

The 'Twilight' stars famously met on the set of the vampire movie and dated for four years before splitting in 2013

For Twilight fans, the only thing better than seeing Bella Swan and Edward Cullen's romance play out on-screen was watching Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson's off-screen relationship develop in real life.

The former couple met and fell in love while filming the first movie in the hit vampire franchise, which was released in 2008. Though Stewart and Pattinson initially played it coy when it came to sharing their relationship status with the public, Twilight fans were thrilled to see their favorite fiction couple get together.

During a 2019 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Stewart confessed that "there was nothing [she] could do" about falling in love with Pattinson on the set of the franchise.

"We were together for years," the Spencer star said, later calling Pattinson her first love. "I was super in love with my high school boyfriend ... But me and Rob were like a little older and it was just like, gu-gung."

Despite their chemistry on- and off-set, Stewart and Pattinson's romance hit a rough patch in 2012 when it was revealed that Stewart had a brief fling with her Snow White and the Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders, Though the Twilight actors ultimately reconnected after news of Stewart's infidelity broke, their reconciliation was short-lived, and they went their separate ways for good in 2013.

Years later, both Twilight stars moved on: Stewart has been engaged to fiancée Dylan Meyer since 2021, and Pattinson has been dating actress and singer Suki Waterhouse since 2018. In November 2023, Waterhouse revealed that she and the Water for Elephants actor are expecting their first child together.

From their early connection on the Twilight set to their eventual breakup and what they've said about each other since, here's a look back at Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson's relationship.

2007: Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart meet

Stewart and Pattinson had plenty of chemistry during their first meeting at an audition for Twilight.

The film's director Catherine Hardwicke opened up to PEOPLE in 2018 about when the actors first met, saying that it was important to her that Bella Swan and Edward Cullen had "great chemistry."

Recalling Stewart's first read with Pattinson, Hardwicke said, "It was funny because they were both pretty shy and kind of a little bit nervous and awkward."

"I said, 'Okay, let's go do the biology scene where you guys first meet.' So we went to my kitchen table for that scene and you could see pretty quickly that they were vibing off of each other," the director continued. "It was pretty positive. After the end of their audition, I could tell that there was a lot of electricity and chemistry."

November 5, 2008: Robert Pattinson says Kristen Stewart is "very cool"

Vanity Fair asked Pattinson about his screen test for Twilight in a 2008 Q&A, during which the actor reflected on his first time meeting Stewart.

"Casting was really easygoing, and Kristen is also very cool, but at the same time there is something very, very serious about her," he noted. "I really wasn't expecting the girl who plays Bella to be like her at all. Her professionalism made me keep my mouth shut whenever I wasn't acting. It further gave the illusion of being serious."

November 17, 2008: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson pose for photos at the Twilight premiere

Stewart and Pattinson hit the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of Twilight, where they posed for photos while looking into each other's eyes.

The movie debuted in theaters a few days later on November 21. The film version of Stephenie Meyers' fan-favorite book series became a bonafide box office hit, turning Stewart, Pattinson and the rest of the cast into household names.

May 31, 2009: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson tease a kiss at the MTV Movie Awards

Stewart and Pattinson won the award for best kiss at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. The pair showed off their chemistry onstage, teasing viewers with an almost kiss before the actress turned her head away and said, "Thank you so much."

August 2009: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are rumored to be more than costars

Before heading to Vancouver to film Eclipse, Stewart and Pattinson enjoyed back-to-back nights of concerts. The pair attended Bobby Long's concert at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood and returned the following night to catch Pattinson's friend Marcus Foster.

"Kristen and Rob, just the two of them, came in and walked towards the curtained-off area on stage where they watched Marcus," a source told PEOPLE. "They [seemed] to go unnoticed."

February 2009: Kristen Stewart denies rumors of romance between her and Robert Pattinson

In an interview with NYLON, Stewart stated that rumors of a romance between her and her on-screen love interest were "totally false."

She added, "Rob and I are good friends. We went through a lot together, so we feel very close. If we go out in public, every little detail is scrutinized, like the way I stand next to him. And it's like, I know the guy really f—--- well. It's only natural that we're sort of leaning on each other, because we're put in the most psychotic situations."

November 23, 2009: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson make out in New York

While their castmates partied elsewhere after the New York premiere of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Stewart and Pattinson were together at Soho House where they "had a good time," a source told PEOPLE.

The duo later made their way to Avenue, where they were seen making out as their bodyguards tried to block prying eyes.

January 1, 2010: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson celebrate the new year

Though they had yet to confirm their romance publicly, the actors enjoyed a New Year's trip to the Isle of Wight, an island off the coast of England. During their getaway, Stewart and Pattinson posed for photos with a fan outside of a grocery store.

May 7, 2010: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson joke about relationship rumors to Oprah

Ahead of the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the rumored couple joined the rest of the cast in a sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey. When the host asked Stewart and Pattinson about the relationship speculation, the actor answered in jest: "Kristen's pregnant."

Stewart added, "He really loves to shock people because he thinks it's funny. No, we've actually had this conversation. He's having the baby."

Both Pattinson and Stewart's teams had confirmed to Winfrey ahead of the show that the two "are together and are dating," a source present at the taping told PEOPLE. "One hundred percent."

June 29, 2010: Eclipse producer confirms Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are dating

Just a month later, Twilight producer Wyck Godfrey inadvertently confirmed the couple's relationship status during an interview with TIME.

When asked if "whatever is going on between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart" is good for business, Godfrey said that he doesn't think about their relationship in terms of business, but rather, hopes for the sake of the film that they stay together.

"The thing I do think about is, Oh my God, I hope they stay together. Because it could be awkward on set in the next movie if they have a huge falling out," he said. "It's like, Wow, they have to portray this love story through two more movies. God, I hope they stay together; please stay together. That's what affects my day-to-day."

December 2010: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson look "couple-like"

While shooting The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Stewart and Pattinson were seen being romantic at a private dinner with other cast members at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.

"Kristen and Rob were very couple-like," a restaurant source told PEOPLE. "There was a lot of hand-holding, sitting next to each other. Everyone was talking around the room, but Kristen and Rob were just talking to each other, not really into the conversations everyone else was having."

October 2011: Kristen Stewart calls Robert Pattinson her "boyfriend"

Stewart mentioned Pattinson during a shoot for British GQ. The actress brought up her relationship while explaining that she was looking forward to seeing more of the U.K. "My boyfriend is English," she said.

When asked about him later in the shoot, Stewart responded, "I never would have said that if I knew you were going to be interviewing me."

July 2012: Robert Pattinson says he and Kristen Stewart are not getting married yet

In an interview with BlackBook, Pattinson responded to rumors that he and Stewart had tied the knot. "No one ever knows what is true or what isn't ... It's not. At least, not yet. But it is true that Kristen has always done something to me that others haven't," he said.

July 24, 2012: Kristen Stewart is photographed kissing her director

Later that month, however, Stewart and Pattinson's relationship was rocked when photos of the actress getting close with her married Snow White and the Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders, were published.

A source confirmed to PEOPLE that Stewart and Sanders had a brief fling and that Stewart was "absolutely devastated" by the fallout. “It was a mistake and a complete lapse in judgment," the source said.

“She wasn’t having an affair with Rupert. It was just a fleeting moment that shouldn’t have happened,” the source continued. “She never meant to hurt anyone. She’s a good person who just made a bad choice.”

July 25, 2012: Kristen Stewart publicly apologizes for "indiscretion"

The Happiest Season actress issued a statement apologizing for her "momentary indiscretion" with the married director.

"I'm deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I've caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected," she said. "This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I'm so sorry."

July 26, 2012: Robert Pattinson leaves his and Kristen Stewart's home

The following day, PEOPLE confirmed that Pattinson had left the L.A. home he shared with Stewart. "I'm not sure they'll be able to recover from this," a source said of the pair, noting that the British star was "heartbroken and angry."

“Kristen really loves Rob more than anything,” an insider added. “He’s all that matters to her right now.”

September 15, 2012: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson reconnect in L.A.

PEOPLE reported that Pattinson and Stewart had reconnected, meeting up in L.A. They continued to meet up in the weeks that followed.

"Rob was completely heartbroken and was saying there was no way he could ever forgive her," a source told PEOPLE. "But not speaking to someone that you thought was your end all, be all, is clearly harder than he expected."

October 2012: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson rekindle their relationship

Several sources confirmed to PEOPLE that the couple were back together. Later that month, they were photographed together at Ye Rustic Inn, a bar in L.A.

November 7, 2012: Kristen Stewart plays coy on the status of her relationship with Robert Pattinson

During an appearance on the Today show, Stewart demurred when asked by Savannah Guthrie if she and Pattinson were back together.

"Funny you mention that," the Breaking Dawn actress said. "I'm just going to let people watch whatever little movie they think our lives are and go for it. Keep them guessing, I always say."

November 12, 2012: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson return to the red carpet as a couple

In November 2012, Pattinson and Stewart attended their first public Hollywood event together since taking some time apart. The couple returned to the red carpet for the L.A. premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.

March 20, 2013: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson reunite after two months apart

Stewart and Pattinson reunited after being apart for two months while Pattinson spent time in Australia filming The Rover. The Twilight actors were seen out at a karaoke bar in L.A.

The couple stepped out again that night to join Katy Perry at a birthday dinner for her assistant.

April 2013: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson look "very much in love" during outing

The lovebirds were seen out to lunch with friends in Los Feliz. According to an observer, Stewart and Pattinson were "very much in love, lovey dovey, cuddling and smiling."

That same month, Pattinson celebrated Stewart's 23rd birthday at a Mexican restaurant in Silver Lake, California.

"They celebrated with Mexican food, beers and margaritas. Kristen was in a great mood," an onlooker said. "She and Rob seemed great too. They were a bit affectionate, but mostly mingled separately."

May 8, 2013: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson step out in New York together

A few days after Stewart attended the Met Gala sans Pattinson, the duo were spotted getting lunch in the Big Apple and later heading into John F. Kennedy International Airport.

May 13, 2013: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson split

A source told PEOPLE that Pattinson and Stewart had called it quits after more than four years of dating. News of the split followed reports that the two did not celebrate Pattinson's birthday together.

"He had friends over at his house, but Kristen was not part of the celebration. For the past few days, they have not spent any time together," a source later told PEOPLE.

The actors were said to have been spending more time apart after returning from New York. "They again went from spending every second together, to spending more time apart at their separate houses," a source said. "Kristen has been in a terrible mood, and it was obvious that things were not great with Rob."

The following week, the Remember Me actor was photographed leaving Stewart's Los Feliz house with his two dogs in a pickup truck full of his belongings.

July 2014: Robert Pattinson reveals the hardest part of his split from Kristen Stewart

In an interview with British Esquire, Pattinson said gossip about Stewart's liaison with her director wasn't the hardest part of their split.

"S––– happens, you know?" he said. "It's just young people ... it's normal! And honestly, who gives a s–––?"

The actor said the hardest part was talking about it afterward. He explained, "Because when you talk about other people, it affects them in ways you can't predict."

August 17, 2016: Kristen Stewart says her and Robert Pattinson's "relationship was made into a product"

Stewart spoke about why her and Pattinson's relationship did not work out in an interview with The New York Times Style Magazine.

"People wanted me and Rob to be together so badly that our relationship was made into a product," she said. "It wasn't real life anymore. And that was gross to me. It's not that I want to hide who I am or hide anything I'm doing in my life. It's that I don't want to become a part of a story for entertainment value."

September 3, 2019: Kristen Stewart reflected on her romance with Robert Pattinson

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, Stewart shared why she and Pattinson chose to keep their relationship private despite all the tabloid fodder.

“When me and Rob were together, we did not have an example to go by,” the actress said. "So much was taken from us that, in trying to control one aspect, we were just like, ‘No, we will never talk about it. Never. Because it’s ours.’ ”

November 15, 2021: Kristen Stewart says she and Robert Pattinson were "young and stupid" during their Twilight days

Stewart reflected on her "young and stupid" days with Pattinson in an interview with The New Yorker where she reminisced on the early era of filming the blockbuster vampire series.

"It was so clear who worked," Stewart said of doing chemistry tests to find who would play her screen romance. She added that Pattinson had an "intellectual approach that was combined with 'I don't give a f--- about this, but I'm going to make this sing.' "

"I was, like, 'Ugh, same.' And, whatever, we were young and stupid and, not to say that we made it so much better, but that's what it needed, and that's what anybody playing those parts needed to feel," she said.

May 2023: Kristen Stewart attends Robert Pattinson's birthday party

During a November appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Twilight director Hardwicke revealed that she had recently reunited with Stewart and Pattinson when she and Stewart "crashed" Pattinson's 27th birthday party in May.

“Strangely enough, I ended up, I went to Rob's birthday party recently. I kinda crashed with my friend Toni Collette, who had just done a movie with him,” she said.

“We had a fun thing, and then Kristen crashed it too. That was just a few months ago, and it was just like, ‘Oh my God!’ We all hugged each other — like, this is so crazy and cool.”

February 14, 2024: Kristen Stewart speaks about how she feels when she's asked about Robert Pattison

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Stewart opened up about how she feels when she's asked about her Twilight costar ex.

“Rob and I can’t just keep talking about that s---, because it’s f------ weird,” Stewart insisted. “It’s like if someone kept asking you — I mean for literally decades — ‘But senior year in high school?' You’re like, ‘F------ A, man! I don’t know!' " she said.

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