Welcome to JU5T-WED

People of all ages and backgrounds are becoming aware of the joys and benefits of owning their own personalized number plate. However, private number plates have not always been so affordable and were once seen as a status symbol for the rich and famous. Here is a glance at some famous registrations over time and the proud owners of these number plates.

To start with we can look at our Royal Family, who are no strangers when it comes to personal number plates with some excellent examples owned in the family. Queen Elizabeth 2nd owns the registration A7, which is one of the most prestigious car registrations ever released, originally issued by London Council in 1903. A1 was the first registration number ever issued in London and was picked up by Earl Russell, who set up camp outside the registering offices in order to secure the ultimate number plate. Other Royal registration owners have included the late Queen Mother who owned NLT 2 and HRH Prince Philip who has OXR 1. Princess Margaret used to own the registration 3 GXM whilst YR 11 is the Duke of Kent's personal number plate. Last but not least is Princess Ann who once owned 1 ANN; however she gave it up for security reasons.

Another "Royal" number plate that has graced the number plate market was sold at a DVLA auction in 1993. K1 NGS was bought buy an anonymous bidder for the royal sum of Â£235 000. For over 13 years this held the title of the most expensive private number plate ever sold until it stripped of its title by 51 NGH (SINGH) for Â£254 000. Since then the record has been broken again and again.

The owner of Chelsea Football Club Roman Abramovich recently increased the spending at Stamford Bridge, only this time it was on his very own personalized number plate! It is reported that Mr. Abramovich paid Â£285 000 for the registration VIP 1, which at the time equated to the most expensive personal number plate signing in the country! It was initially issued by the DVLNI (which is the Northern Ireland equivalent of the DVLA) for the forthcoming visit of Pope John Paul II. Since then it changed hands a few times before being signed up at Chelsea.

Currently the most expensive private number plate ever sold is the registration M1, bought for the eye popping sum of Â£331 000! This was the first car registration to be issued by Cheshire Council over 100 years ago. It was sold on behalf of the National Trust who acquired the registration when Tatton Park was donated to them in the 1960's. The money raised from the sale of the registration is being used by the National Trust for on going work and projects.

These registrations all have fantastic stories to go with them. Understandably there are many famous people who choose to keep their registrations a secret. Next time you are out on the roads why not see what number plates you come across, and who knows, you may even get a glimpse of your favorite celebrity!

About The Author, Ross O'donnell

Ross O'Donnell is company secretary of Cape Plates and has a passion for car registrations and dateless number plates. Cape Plates offer access to over 30 million car registrations via the website as well as a free valuation and selling service.

By Martin Beckford 4:37PM BST 29 Apr 2011

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In the most informal part of the royal wedding celebrations, Prince William and Kate Middleton waved from the convertible while an RAF rescue helicopter flew overhead.

They emerged from the palace gates at about 3.35pm in a dark blue Aston Martin DB6 MkII belonging to the Prince of Wales.

The car, which runs on bioethanol fuel distilled from surplus British wine, was festooned with red, white and blue streamers tied to the bonnet, rosettes on the windscreen and an “L” learner plate on the front.

Trailing from the back were heart-shaped balloons and others bearing the initials “W” for William and “C” for Catherine, while a yellow rear number plate had been added that read: “JU5T WED”.

Prince Harry, the best man, and other friends and family had decorated the car, which had been a 21st birthday present from the Queen to the princes’ father, in the traditional style for newly-weds.

Prince William, who had changed out of his wedding attire, took the wheel but also waved at well-wishers alongside his new bride, who was still in her bridal gown. She smiled and waved to crowds on both sides of the road.

They drove at a sedate speed out of the front of the Queen’s London residence, followed by security officers in a dark Range Rover, and motored up the Mall before turning into Stable Yard Road and parking outside Clarence House, the Prince of Wales’s home.

A spokesman said: “It was Prince William's idea to drive his new bride away from the official reception on their first journey as a married couple to his family home.”

But in a surprise for the couple, a fly-past was organised by RAF Wattisham in Suffolk of a yellow Sea King helicopter, to recognise the prince’s work as a search and rescue pilot.

The drive-by, which was over in just a few minutes, amazed bystanders.

Claire Bull, 52, from Flimwell, East Sussex, said: “It was quite a surprise, I thought it would be another carriage or something. They both looked very happy and relaxed.