Plans to pull down a historic landmark in Windsor Great Park are underway.

Earlier this year, park wardens in Virginia Waters erected a sign in front of the Windsor Totem Pole announcing that the wooden structure had reached the "end of its natural lifespan".

The totem pole has stood proud in the Royal Park for over 60 years since being gifted to Queen Elizabeth II in 1958 by the Government of British Columbia to mark the centenary of that Province.

The late Queen requested for the pole to be erected in Windsor Great Park by the Royal Engineers that year and it has offered a reminder of the "links and friendship" between Canada and the United Kingdom ever since.

Its sister pole, known as the Centennial Pole, was erected in Vancouver but was lowered in 2018.

Windsor Great Park has now confirmed it will be "laid to rest" as it slowly deteriorates and decays.

However, the totem pole will not be leaving the park, with it said to be "appropriate and right" that it be laid down in the grounds.

On approaching Windsor Great Park, a date has not yet been set for the ceremony, but the pole has already been blessed.

Previous lowering ceremonies have seen indigenous dancers and singers forming rings around the totem pole.

A disconnection ceremony will then be held by First Nations members before a crane is used to carefully lower the totem pole ahead of it being laid in its final resting place.

In the summer of 2021, the Totem Pole and surrounding area were closed to the public, while renovation works were carried out in order to conserve the totem pole for future generations. It had previously been repainted in 1985.