Just over a year ago, Hollywood star Robert Pattinson made the big announcement that he and his wife, actress Bella Hadid, were expecting their first child. And just yesterday, their baby boy, Walker, celebrated his first birthday! The proud parents shared their milestone with their social media followers, sharing a sweet picture of their growing family.
Though they kept details of their son’s birth private, they were finally compelled to share their son’s incredible journey in the 2017 edition of their family’s Christmas card. The picture shows little Walker receiving a kiss from his drowsy aunt, Marilou, as the camera crew films the event.
Here we take a look at what you need to know about the popular British actor and his wife’s first son:
He Was born in the U.K.
According to reports, Walker was born on January 26, 2017, making him one of the newest members of the 1% club. The actor’s representative has yet to make an official statement regarding the birth, but it’s believed that the couple planned to keep the baby’s birth a private affair.
It was only two months ago, on the other side of the world, that Pattinson made headlines for the wrong reasons. During the filming of the latest installment of the popular Twilight saga, Pattinson was accused of misconduct by his on-screen love interest, Kristen Stewart. The actress claimed that he had pressured her to have sex with him and retaliated by threatening to reveal details about their alleged affair to the press.
However, the allegations were found to be completely baseless by the filmmakers, who subsequently rebuked Stewart for her unprofessional conduct. The allegations were later dropped by Stewart’s lawyers. Nonetheless, the scandal tarnished the once-popular 26-year-old star’s reputation. It’s also safe to assume that the birth of his son will not help to rehabilitate his public image.
He Is Not The First Child Of His Parents.
According to TMZ, Pattinson is not the first child of his parents. His older sister, Alice, was born in 1994 and is currently an Oxford graduate living in London. The website also reports that the actor has another sister, Chloe, who is two years his junior. She too is a recent university graduate, and, like Alice, has never been engaged in an acting career.
The news of Walker’s birth comes just months after the couple tied the knot. The British tabloid the Daily Mail reported in October that the former couple had finalized their wedding plans. The wedding was held at London’s Westminster Abbey in April 2017 and was entirely private. Only family and close friends were invited to witness the special day.
He Is The Younger Brother Of James.
Pattinson is the younger brother of musician James. The pair grew up in a family of five children and attended university together. In 2015, their sister Alice married fashion designer James Batchelor. The couple’s first child, Milo, was born in March 2017 and the family made headlines when Milo’s birth was announced on the same day as the birth of Walker. Though Milo shares many similarities with his brother, he is said to have inherited some of his genes from their father.
He Is A Member Of The UK Parliament.
Pattinson has not only been in the spotlight for his acting career but also for his involvement in several notable charitable causes. In 2016, he was appointed a Member of the UK Parliament for North London. The position requires him to actively take part in the country’s political life. At the time of his appointment, his agency, Global Management, said that the role “offered Mr. Pattinson a unique opportunity to work with a cross-section of society as he navigates the complex issues that affect people’s everyday lives.”
The following year, he was named Britain’s greatest young actor, and one of the country’s most promising new politicians, according to Which? He added: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. It’s great to learn about the political process and how decisions are made. It’s fascinating to see how legislation is put together and to be a part of shaping it as it develops.”
He Is A Vegan.
Pattinson is a proud vegan and has been referred to as “Britain’s most ethical actor.” He eschews all forms of animal testing and encourages others to do the same. In 2016, he was one of the first prominent public figures to warn of the dangers of palm oil, a common ingredient in many cheap, processed foods. The oil is produced through the burning of rainforest trees. It’s well-known for its role in causing climate change. In addition to being vegan, Pattinson is also a passionate advocate of sustainable agriculture, choosing to work with brands that support environmentally sound farming.
He Is A Craft Beer Connoisseur.
Pattinson is a self-confessed beer connoisseur and was named one of the UK’s top ten most promising young beer companies to work for in 2016. The agency that represents him said: “Craft beer is on the rise, and we’re really excited to have found a new career path for Mr. Pattinson. He can be relied upon to recommend an exceptional range of beers for an exceptional guest list.”
He Is A Devoted Father.
Pattinson is a devoted father to his one-year-old son, Walker. Though he keeps details of his son’s birth private, he does speak about his parenting approach in interviews. In February, he said that he and his wife would “parent together and as a team.” He also revealed that they had “discussed what kind of parent we want to be.”
He told Elle magazine: “We both feel that the most important thing you can do for your child is love them unconditionally and respect their opinions. So that’s what we’ve tried to do. Being a parent is incredibly challenging and rewarding at the same time. You never stop learning, and hopefully we’ll continue to grow as parents over time.”
In October 2017, Pattinson tweeted a picture of himself playing with his son on a beach. The photograph gained the duo more than 500,000 Instagram followers. In the caption, he wrote, “Best job in the world.”
He Is An Environmentalist.
Pattinson is a committed environmentalist and was one of the first celebrities to speak out against climate change. In 2007, he was awarded the Hammer Impact Award by the Environmental Hammer for his outstanding commitment to sustainability. That same year, he was named one of Britain’s top ten most promising young ecostewards by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
In 2015, he took a stand against animal testing when he urged his followers to stop playing with fur products. In a now-deleted tweet, he wrote: “For the love of animals…stop using them in tests. Your loyalty to them will be greatly appreciated.” He later updated his followers with a photo of him wearing a scarf made from a fox’s fur. He has also been an outspoken critic of horse racing, calling it “a form of gambling” in an interview in 2016.
He Is A Social Media Influencer.
Pattinson is a social media influencer, gaining more than 500,000 followers on Instagram. The image-sharing platform declared that he was one of its most influential users in a 2016 ranking. He is also known for using the platform to advocate for animal rights and sustainability. He frequently posts images of himself playing with his son, Walker. The occasional snap of the young family eating dinner together also makes an appearance. In fact, food and drink are a recurring theme on the feed. The influencer has spoken about his approach to parenting, saying that he wants his young son to value and be mindful of what he consumes. He has also said that he wants Walker to understand the importance of being environmentally friendly. The influencer’s social media accounts are a reflection of his family values and ethics, blending candor, beauty, and brains.
He Is An Independent Woman.
Pattinson is an independent woman and has gone on the record, saying that she doesn’t need a man to define her or to complete her life. In a 2016 interview with Vanity Fair, she spoke about the backlash she has received for going against the grain of traditional expectations: “I’ve been told I need a man to take care of me, which is ironic because I’m so independent. People will say that men are more likely to think strategically and be more protective. But I don’t need a man. I’ve always felt happiest on my own.”