Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam was unable to attend his knighthood ceremony after testing positive for Covid.
Prof Van-Tam, having held the role of deputy chief medical officer for five years, announced he was leaving his post in March to take a role at the University of Nottingham.
His honour came for his work during the pandemic.
The 58-year-old became a regular fixture on the nation's TV screens during the opening phases of the Covid pandemic, explaining much of what was going on using quirky metaphors and analogies.
Prof Van-Tam was also absent from Boston United's National League North play-off semi-final triumph against AFC Fylde, but hopes to be in attendance for the final against York City.
Prof Van-Tam told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "The big tragedy is - if you can call it a tragedy - I got Covid, so I wasn't able to get to the Kidderminster game and I wasn't able to get to the Fylde game either.
"My entire family went but I couldn't make it."
Despite missing the match, Prof Van-Tam said he was "dancing around the living room with a beer".
He went on: "This shows us that much as we'd all like to think this pandemic is over and Covid has gone away, it hasn't gone - it's something we are going to have live with for many years to come.
"We just have to try and be careful and protect each other."
According to the BBC, Nottingham University said Prof Van-Tam is fully vaccinated and "almost completely recovered" whilst working from home.
"He is very disappointed not to have attended his investiture yesterday as was planned, however it will be rescheduled and he is very much looking forward to receiving his knighthood for services to public health," the university said.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Jonathan Van Tam during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus (COVID-19).
Matt Dunham
Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Jonathan Van Tam (left) and Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus (Covid-19).
Kirsty Wigglesworth