Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart: the perfect couple... until it wasn't

Far from what many people think, the love story between Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson was real - and a bit tricky, to say the least, for both. Their relationship involved paparazzi, fans, third parties, infidelities, wolves, vampires and much more.

It all started with the casting of the first film in the 'Twilight' saga. Kristen Stewart already had her role as Bella but finding the perfect Edward Cullen wasn't so easy, until Robert Pattinson came along.

Their first reading together was in the bed of director Catherine Hardwicke (pictured right) and the chemistry was immediate. Kristen Stewart had it clear and so did the director: they had Edward Cullen. There was so much spark between them.

Days before the premiere of 'Twilight' in November 2008, Robert Pattinson was full of praise for his partner in 'Vanity Fair': "Her professionalism made me keep my mouth shut whenever I wasn't acting".

And then came 21 November 2008 and the premiere of an historical saga. The film took the world by storm. Four days earlier, at the Los Angeles premiere, the starring couple had arrived together on the red carpet, where they posed without ever letting go of each other.

Rumours start to swirl and Robert and Kristen, now global stars, used this as an opportunity to turn it into a spectacular marketing campaign.

Special mention to the MTV Movie Award moment for Best Kiss in 2009 when they picked up the award and, on stage, they pretended they were going to kiss but, at the last moment, they didn't and thanked each other. Fans of the show surely remember the disappointment!

That same year, in the summer of 2009, the world realised that Edward and Bella were a real-life couple. A young, rich and famous couple who lived their lives between concerts, outings with friends and various parties.

Another great moment was with Oprah Winfrey. When she asked them if they were a couple, she got a surprising joke from Robert Pattinson: "Kristen is pregnant". The world stopped for a second. Obviously, Oprah Winfrey knew they were a couple but it was People magazine that confirmed the relationship, in May 2010. "They are together 100%".

In case there was any doubt, Wyck Godfrey (pictured right), producer of the series, confirmed the relationship unwittingly in June 2010, stating that he hoped the relationship would last so as not to become a problem for the franchise.

Now, it took until October 2011, two years after the relationship began, for Kristen Stewart to confirm what was an open secret. It was in 'GQ': "Come on, guys, it's pretty obvious". The couple were everything Cupid would have dreamed of: hugs, holding hands, praise for their acting work, complicity, chemistry.... They were the perfect couple and the world adored them.

But everything changed in the summer of 2012. From engagement rumours, denied by Robert Pattinson, to photographs of Kristen Stewart kissing Rupert Sanders, director of 'Snow White and the Huntsman', a film she starred in.

That day, the world stopped believing in love and millions of people had a piece of their heart broken. According to TMZ, the actress had told her partner that she was going to the gym, when in fact she went to meet the director.

The following day, Kristen Stewart issued a public statement owning up to the facts and apologising to her still partner: "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."

That same day, the paparazzi assail Kristen Stewart on the street, who can't stop herself from crying and making a plea to the photographers: please respect this hard moment. Meanwhile, Robert Pattinson was leaving the house they shared in Los Angeles.

A source close to the couple told the 'New York Post' what a blow the disloyalty was to the actor. "Rob is deeply in love with Kristen and is very jealous when other men hit on her. This will crush him."  The couple who everyone wanted to be - were no longer a couple.

The Sunday Mirror went further, claiming that Robert Pattinson was planning to propose to Kristen Stewart just before the slip-up. The actor had gone from buying a ring to returning it as a bachelor.

Meanwhile, Rupert Sanders' wife, Liberty Ross, surprised everyone by claiming that the affair between director and actress had been going on for a year. But how could this have happened? Emilie de Ravin was the answer.

Robert Pattinson had become close friends with the actress after filming 'Remember Me' with her, and although nothing ever happened between them, Kristen Stewart didn't quite understand her partner's closeness with Emilie de Ravin, according to TMZ.

The rest of the summer of 2012 was low profile for both of them. Robert Pattinson cancelled his schedules and did not participate in the promotion of 'Cosmopolis', his latest release. Now, a hot potato remained: the promotion of 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2', the final installment of the saga.

In a show of generosity, Robert Pattinson decided to do the whole promotional campaign. According to The Sun, he wanted to avoid embarrassment and boos for his partner of three years.

One thing led to another and the couple eventually reconciled in September 2012, only to end up separating, this time for good, in May 2013. What had happened? According to Kristen Stewart, the pressure on them was so great that there came a time when they were no longer in control of their relationship. Fortunately, time heals everything and they are now good friends.

Not only have they earned the industry's respect as performers, but Robert Pattinson has rebuilt his life with Suki Waterhouse (pictured), with whom he is having his first child.

Yes, Robert and Kristen were the perfect couple for a while. Time has shown that the ideal relationship for both of them was friendship and now they are both happy.

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