The Wales head coach is honoured for his services to rugby after leading the British and Irish Lions to a 2-1 series victory on their tour of Australia last summer.
The 51-year-old, who previously coached Ireland, Wasps and Connacht, also guided Wales to the 2013 Six Nations title, equalling England’s haul of 26 in the competition.
“I was surprised really. It’s a massive honour and I’m absolutely over the moon to be asked to receive that,” said Gatland, who is in South Africa overseeing Wales’ summer tour.
“It’s great and I’m very proud and sort of humbled. I told my wife and that’s been it really. It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.
“As a Kiwi I know they did their Queen’s Birthday Honours List a couple of weeks ago and that has a real New Zealand flavour. To receive something in the UK as a Kiwi is pretty special.
“It’s nice to be recognised, not just for yourself. There are a heck of a lot of other people that have given me the opportunity to be recognised in terms of the other coaches and the players I’ve been involved with as well.
“The support from the union and the people of Wales have made my time really enjoyable. It’s easy and it feels very much home at the moment. It’s like a second New Zealand.
“A few mates of mine have given me a hard time about getting an honorary doctorate so I’ll probably get a bit of a ribbing about this one too.”
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