The award comes with England basking in the glory of last week's famous victory over Australia in the First Test at Edgbaston, but Atherton revealed that the decision was made a while ago.
``I had the letter saying I was being put forward a couple of weeks ago,'' he explained in a quick press conference during the lunch interval of Lancashire's Championship game against Kent, held in the Old Trafford committee room where a picture of the Queen, Lancashire's patron, hangs on the wall.
``To be honest I'd forgotten about it until I saw all the photographers hanging around and guessed what they might be here for.''
It is recognition of Atherton's durability and longevity as England captain. Next week at Lord's he will break the late Peter May's record of leading England in Test matches - and will now lead out the team as Mike Atherton, OBE.
His reign as skipper started during the last Ashes summer four years ago when, despite his well-documented nickname of FEC (Future England Captain), he came out of the blue as a surprise replacement for Graham Gooch.
It has been a turbulent period, with major rows over the dirt in the pocket affair at Lord's in 1994 and calling a Pakistani journalist a buffoon during the 1996 World Cup.
``There is a big week coming up, we are 1-0 up in the series and the next Test is absolutely crucial in the effort to bring the Ashes home,'' he added.
``I suppose the attention is now going to be a little bit more on me than I would like. I just hope the people turn up at Lord's and see a cracking Test - it will be if it's anything like Edgbaston.''
Lancashire chairman Bob Bennett, also chairman of the England management committee, said: ``This is a great reward for his dogged determination in four years as England skipper.''
However, some of Atherton's Lancashire team-mates came up with another explanation of OBE as he could only make five against Kent before going caught behind to Kent's England hopeful Martin McCague.
``Out blooming early,'' or ``Out before everyone else,'' were two of the suggestions doing the rounds.
But the smiles didn't last long as Lancashire slumped deeper into trouble after following Kent to recover from 92-4 to post a first innings total of 373, with nightwatchman Ben Phillips scoring his maiden first class century.
Zimbabwe leg-spinner Paul Strang claimed 3-20 in 13 overs to reduce them to 113-5, still needing 91 to avoid the follow-on.