Despite Robert Pattinson’s big screen career and Suki Waterhouse’s supermodel status, we don’t know much about their relationship. Both of these Brits prefer to keep their private life out of the public sphere. As their romance approaches the two-year mark, here’s a rundown of their secretive story.
July 2018: Pattinson and Waterhouse are first linked on July 30 when E! obtains photos of the pair kissing in the streets of London. Per the outlet’s report, the two saw a 9 p.m. showing of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again at Electric Cinema in Notting Hill. They then walked across the street for drinks at SoHo House until 1 a.m.
An eyewitness said the couple was open with their affection. “Along the way, they were very close and cuddled and kissed many times,”the source told E! News. “Robert was very affectionate to her and had his arm around her the whole way and Suki reciprocated by holding his hand and kissing it. They were very loved up and close. Robert stroked Suki’s hair and gave her another loving kiss.”
August 2018: Although neither Pattinson nor Waterhouse confirms the relationship, a source tells Us Weekly that the pair has been dating for months. The insider said the actors had “known each other and been around each other for a long time.” Other commonalities include “a love of music” and that they “are both really cool, nice and normal people and fun-loving.”
Both parties also have experience with keeping relationships with high-profile people low-key. Pattinson called off his engagement to FKA Twigs in late 2017. Previously, he dated Twilight co-star Kristen Stewart. Waterhouse’s dating history includes a two-year relationship with Bradley Cooper and dates with James Marsden.
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An E! source says the pair is only “casually dating.” Since Pattinson had only recently ended a three-year relationship, “He isn’t looking for anything serious right now.”
The insider did express that the two “are definitely into each other” and are dating while Pattinson is in London filming The King. “Rob likes to have fun when he has breaks in-between filming and him and Suki have a great time together,” the source added.
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At the end of the month, a Daily Mail report claimed that the couple had split.
September 2018: LaineyGossip disputed the Daily Mail story, sharing that Pattinson had FaceTimed Waterhouse walking home from a London pub in August. Per this outlet’s report, the couple were spotted at Miguel’s concert in Los Angeles.
Each also attended the Toronto International Film Festival for their respective projects this month. Pattinson was promoting High Life while Waterhouse walked the carpet for Assassination Nation.
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October 2018: This month, the couple is photographed exiting London club Chiltern Firehouse at 2:15 a.m, seemingly confirming they were still together.
December 2018: Daily Mail captured the couple leaving a Christmas party on London’s Regent Street. Waterhouse and Pattinson stayed at the party, which guest list allegedly included Bradley Cooper until the early morning hours.
January 2019: Waterhouse and Pattinson spent her 27th birthday together, photographed leaving her party. A couple weeks later, the couple was caught by People holding hands after a run in London.
April 2019: Some fan accounts spot the couple out and about in New York in February and March. But in April, Pattinson makes his first public comments about his relationship with Waterhouse.
The Sunday Times asks Pattinson in an interview about Waterhouse, which he responds to by asking, “do I have to [talk about her]?” Then he goes into more detail about why he’s so private about his personal life:
“If you let people in, it devalues what love is. If a stranger on the street asked you about your relationship, you’d think it extremely rude. If you put up a wall it ends up better. I can’t understand how someone can walk down the street holding hands, and it’s the same as when I do it and a hundred people are taking your photo. The line between when you’re performing and when you’re not will eventually get washed away and you’ll go completely mad.”
However, he did tell the outlet that breakups with Stewart and FKA Twigs didn’t disillusion him to romance with a celebrity such as Waterhouse. “They were pretty long relationships, not like three months.”
May 2019: When it came time for Pattinson’s 33rd birthday, he and Waterhouse were photographed at Chateau Marmont. Pattinson’s friend Tom Sturridge was also in attendance for the celebrations, per People.
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June 2019: Waterhouse and Pattinson went on a double date with another notoriously private couple, Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn. They chose Hollywood’s San Vicente Bungalows, per Us Weekly. It’s a members-only club where photos aren’t allowed, so no one could photograph the dinner. But an onlooker told Us that both couples “were laughing and talking” throughout the evening. “They were at a table, just the four of them. Rob and Taylor were across from each other.”
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One way this busy couple keeps in contact? FaceTime. During a June interview with Grazia, the reporter notes Waterhouse FaceTimes Pattinson during a photo shoot break.
An Us Weekly source reported that Waterhouse said, “I have to FaceTime my boyfriend” while backstage at the Moschino 2020 Resort Womenswear/Spring Menswear show. The onlooker said when Pattinson answered he asked, “Where are you, babe?” Waterhouse then showed Pattinson her outfit while “they were both laughing.” Per the insider, the couple “seemed very happy and in love” and that “both seem very into each other.”
August 2019: E! publishes a picture of Pattinson and Waterhouse strolling through London, something the outlet claims this couple does often in the area. Although they’ve kept it very quiet, this couple’s one-year relationship speaks volumes.
September 2019: In early September, photographer Sofia Malamute shares a photo of the couple cuddled together, captioned, “Ibiza, 2019.” Considering Waterhouse follows Malamute’s Instagram account, the picture was likely posted with her permission.
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January 2020: After several months of quiet, Waterhouse and Pattinson confirm their relationship is still going strong. The pair is seen leaving Waterhouse’s 27th birthday party in London on January 12, per LaineyGossip. According to the photo agency, the couple has been snapped by paparazzi nearly every month since news they were dating became public. They celebrate her birthday at London’s Casa Cruz with an event attended by Liv Tyler, Georgia May Jagger, Cara Delevingne, and Ashley Benson. (Delevingne and Benson reportedly end things in April 2020.)
The couple also sparks engagement rumors at the start of the year, per the Daily Mail. While attending a Dior dinner party in Paris, Waterhouse can be seen wearing a ring on her left finger. However, neither confirms the news and she doesn’t make a habit of rewearing the jewelry.
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May 2020: Pattinson essentially confirms that he’s quarantining with Waterhouse during an interview for GQ‘s June cover. According to the article, Pattinson has been sequestered “with his girlfriend” in the London apartment “the Batman folks rented for him” while production on the film is paused. That reporting is line with the DailyMail, which spots the couple leaving a grocery store in Notting Hill around mid-April. One item the couple carries in the photo-op? Kellogg’s corn flakes, one of the ingredients Pattinson uses for a…unique pasta dish he makes during an interview for the GQ profile.