“Quite an experience,” was how Heather Pham of Wingham described her visit at Queen’s Park July 6 with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh during the final stop of the recent royal tour.
Pham and her sons took part in a ceremony as representatives of fallen police officers while other families represented fallen firefighters and soldiers.
The ceremony also included organizations such as the Girl Guides and the Red Cross as recipients were awarded the Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship.
Pham said the attendees were given a briefing before the ceremony on what to do while meeting the queen as well as how to curtsy.
“It was the first time I’ve curtsied,” noted Pham. “You just slide your foot behind your left heel.”
Pham said after the queen entered and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty made opening remarks, Her Majesty came down among the groups with the Pham family second in line to meet her.
Pham said the queen spent a couple of minutes with the family and was briefed on what happened to Pham’s husband, Vu Pham, by Ontario Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Rick Bartolucci.
 “She was very interested in how it happened and when,” said Pham. “She’s very quiet and very genuine…you can tell she’s focused.
“It was a real honour but hard at the same time,” said Pham.
Pham added she was joined at the event by OPP Huron Detachment acting inspector Shawn Johnson.
“It was an incredible opportunity for the boys and I, however it is not without incredible cost and sacrifice,” said Pham.