It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 6 furlongs and 34 yards (2,847 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.
The event was established over a distance of 2 miles in 1838, and its original trophy was a gold vase donated by Queen Victoria.
The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the Queen's Vase held Group 3 status.
[1] However in a move to recognise the importance of staying Flat races in the calendar the European Pattern Committee decided to upgrade the race to Group 2 status in 2017 while reducing its distance to 1 mile and 6 furlongs.
[2] The Queen's Vase is now contested on the second day of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting.