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