Sleeping Beauty shocked by wake-up kiss

A real-life Sleeping Beauty who promised to marry the first to wake her with a kiss had a surprise when she opened her eyes to a woman.

Visitors have been flocking to the National Art Museum in Kiev, Ukraine, to take part in or catch a glimpse of artist Taras Polataiko's interactive project.

Five attractive young women took it in turns to sleep at the gallery, under a pledge to marry the prince who woke them with a kiss, reports Metro.

However participant Yana Gurzhiy's prince turned out to be a princess when she decided to open her eyes after she was kissed on the forehead.

"I was astonished when I opened my eyes and saw a girl," explained the 24-year-old translator.

Ukraine does not allow gay marriage however, making it impossible for the pair, who have signed a contract, to tie the knot.

However Ms Gurzhiy remains adamant that their non-traditional meeting was for a reason.

"I believe it is not a coincidence we had to meet this way," she explained.

"She's a very interesting person, so I hope we'll have some kind of professional and creative partnership."