NATCHEZ — Royalty graced Natchez Tuesday.

For its 20th anniversary, the American Queen steamboat docked in Natchez while on its passage to Memphis from New Orleans.

The 436-passenger steamboat was welcomed by a host of city officials and community members for a special ceremony at Natchez Under-the-Hill.

“We love coming to Natchez because it is the epitome of Southern hospitality,” said John Waggoner, chairman of the American Queen Steamboat Co. “The fact that you guys always roll out the red carpet for us — it’s wonderful.”

Twenty years ago, when the American Queen first set sail, Natchez was one of several port cities the steamboat visited.

First christened in 1995, the American Queen was removed from services in 2008, only to re-launch in 2012 under new ownership.

Since its re-launch, the riverboat has been a key catalyst in the renaissance of many ports along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

“Twenty years ago, I came on the American Queen for the inaugural ride,” Natchez Mayor Butch Brown said.

While docked in Natchez, Brown said he was asked to tie up the vessel at the Under-the-Hill port, the same port the riverboat docked at Tuesday.

“I was really pleased to do that,” Brown said.

As a token of appreciation to the American Queen, Brown presented Waggoner with a special proclamation and a key to the city.

“We hope this will be on permanent display on your ship, and continue to sail and serve you for a very long time,” Brown said.

Brown joked the key held special access to the city’s treasury.

“That key opens the treasury, which right now is a little bare,” Brown said. “We’re counting on you to fill it.”

The American Queen is one of two vessel members of the Historic Hotels of America, and boasts six decks of luxury entertainment and dining.

“The American Queen is such a valuable asset to our tourism,” Brown said. “And it’s an honor to welcome it back to Natchez.”