máxima met the crown prince in april 1999 in sevilla, spain, during the seville spring fair. this is an important annual event, to which many people from other countries come and dress in typical spanish andalusian costume. in an interview, they stated that he introduced himself only as "alexander," so that she did not know he was a prince. she thought he was joking when he told her he was a prince. they agreed to meet in new york, where máxima was working for dresdner kleinwort benson, two weeks later. their relationship apparently began in new york, but the princess did not meet the prince's parents, queen beatrix and claus von amsberg, for some time.