Rupert Sanders has called his affair with Kristen Stewart a 'momentary lapse'

Kristen Stewart and Rupert Sanders arrives at the Snow White And The Huntsman premiere. Photo / Getty

Rupert Sanders has called his affair with Kristen Stewart a "momentary lapse".

The married Snow White and the Huntsman director had an affair with the 26-year-old actress - who was dating Robert Pattinson at the time - on the set of the 2012 movie but he has now branded their dalliance as a "mistake".

Director Rupert Sanders and Liberty Ross. Photo / Getty

He told the Metro newspaper: "You never know what's coming in life. Around every corner, there's something unexpected, and that's life. You just have to brush yourself off and continue moving forward the best you can. Everyone makes mistakes."

"I am bound to make more mistakes, and I wouldn't expect my life to be exciting if I didn't. If you took people off the table for a momentary lapse, there would be no one making art."

Meanwhile, Kristen previously said the "scandal" turned women against her and they became very judgemental.

Referring to it last year, she said: "Women are so judgmental of each other. It's very innate, instinctive, f***ed-up, animal-like. It was something that was a nuisance. How do you resent me if you've actually never met me?"

And in 2013, Rupert's former wife Liberty Ross - with whom he shares two children, Skyla and Tennyson - admitted it was "the worst" thing to happen.

She shared: "It was really the worst, really the worst. I have no words to describe what we went through. But I think, for me, something always has to completely die for there to be a rebirth. And, for me, I feel like I'm going through a rebirth."

Director Rupert Sanders (R), his wife Liberty Ross and their children Tennyson Sanders and Skyla Sanders. Photo / Getty

When news of the affair leaked, Kristen made a public apology to her boyfriend at the time, Robert Pattinson.

She said: "I'm deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I've caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected. This momentary indiscretion has jeopardised 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."