In 14th century Europe, King Stefan and Queen Leah give birth to their daughter Aurora. All their subjects are invited to the christening celebration, where the infant princess is betrothed to the young Prince Phillip, the son of Stefan's lifelong friend King Hubert, in order to unite their kingdoms when they grow up. Among the guests are also Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, the three good fairies who came to bless Aurora with magical gifts. Flora gives her the gift of beauty, and Fauna gives her the gift of song). Before Merryweather can give her gift, the celebration is interrupted by the arrival of the evil fairy Maleficent. Angered at not being invited, she curses Aurora to die when she pricks her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel before the sun sets on the princess' sixteenth birthday. Stefan orders his guards to seize Maleficent, but she disappears just as they reach her.
