| People of all ages and backgrounds are becoming | | | | title by 51 NGH (SINGH) for £254 000. Since |
| aware of the joys and benefits of owing their own | | | | then the record has been broken again and again. |
| personalised number plate. However, private number | | | | The owner of Chelsea Football Club Roman |
| plates have not always been so affordable and were | | | | Abramovich recently increased the spending at |
| once seen as a status symbol for the rich and | | | | Stamford Bridge, only this time it was on his very |
| famous. Here is a glance at some famous | | | | own personalised number plate! It is reported that Mr |
| registrations over time and the proud owners of | | | | Abramovich paid £285 000 for the registration |
| these number plates. | | | | VIP 1, which at the time equated to the most |
| To start with we can look at our Royal Family, who | | | | expensive personal number plate signing in the |
| are no strangers when it comes to personal number | | | | country! It was initially issued by the DVLNI (which is |
| plates with some excellent examples owned in the | | | | the Northern Ireland equivalent of the DVLA) for the |
| family. Queen Elizabeth 2nd owns the registration A7, | | | | forthcoming visit of Pope John Paul II. Since then it |
| which is one of the most prestigious car registrations | | | | changed hands a few times before being signed up |
| ever released, originally issued by London Council in | | | | at Chelsea. |
| 1903. A1 was the first registration number ever | | | | Currently the most expensive private number plate |
| issued in London and was picked up by Earl Russell, | | | | ever sold is the registration M1, bought for the eye |
| who set up camp outside the registering offices in | | | | popping sum of £331 000! This was the first car |
| order to secure the ultimate number plate. Other | | | | registration to be issued by Cheshire Council over 100 |
| Royal registration owners have included the late | | | | years ago. It was sold on behalf of the National Trust |
| Queen Mother who owned NLT 2 and HRH Prince | | | | who acquired the registration when Tatton Park was |
| Philip who has OXR 1. Princess Margaret used to own | | | | donated to them in the 1960's. The money raised |
| the registration 3 GXM whilst YR 11 is the Duke of | | | | from the sale of the registration is being used by the |
| Kent's personal number plate. Last but not least is | | | | National Trust for on going work and projects. |
| Princess Ann who once owned 1 ANN; however she | | | | These registrations all have fantastic stories to go |
| gave it up for security reasons. | | | | with them. Understandably there are many famous |
| Another "Royal" number plate that has graced the | | | | people who choose to keep their registrations a |
| number plate market was sold at a DVLA auction in | | | | secret. Next time you are out on the roads why not |
| 1993. K1 NGS was bought buy an anonymous bidder | | | | see what number plates you come across, and who |
| for the royal sum of £235 000. For over 13 | | | | knows, you may even get a glimpse of your |
| years this held the title of the most expensive | | | | favourite celebrity! |
| private number plate ever sold until it stripped of its | | | | |