SHE was fondly referred to as 'the nation's favourite grandmother' but for many people the Queen Mother was more than that: she was their favourite royal.

A life dedicated to country and family, in which she rarely put a foot wrong, earned her the utmost respect of the British people, particularly among the wartime generation.

Her popularity was perhaps only matched in recent times by Diana, Princess of Wales, whose untimely death five years ago left a vacuum in the Royal Family yet to be filled.

The sad death of the Queen Mother on Saturday creates it's own gap: who, if anyone, can step into her shoes and be a unifying figure drawing wide, popular appeal?

Here are the views of some of our readers' panel, but please let us know what you think.

Katherine Hague, 36, is the manager of Monks Cross shopping park in York.

"William seems to be the only one at the moment who has an appeal across a spectrum of age groups. For older people, he is the ideal grandson. For young girls, he is a heartthrob.

He would be the person for taking the Royal Family forward. The others have blotted their copy book.

I think William will probably take on the role his mother had: the way she touched people's hearts, going on hospital visits and travelling all over the world. William will help keep the popularity going."

Dorothy Dawson, 63, is chairman of the York Conservative Supper Club.

"Given half a chance, it could be Sophie. When Sophie first came on the scene, I thought she'd be the one to take over from Diana. She's got the figure and the looks, but it's whether the tabloids will give her that chance as they have been putting down the young royals.

I can't think of anyone else. There's William, of course, but he needs to have a life before he has to handle all that responsibility.

The Queen Mother's death leaves a gap. She always put the country first and who ever follows in her wake will have to think like that.

I feel so sad at her death. Throughout my life, she's been there. The fact she won't be around for the Golden Jubilee is heartbreaking. I feel sorry for the Queen who will have to face it all alone without her sister and mother, who has always been there for her."

Sarah Drew, 27, is an accessories designer who lives in York.

"I don't think the Queen will take her place as she is too authoritative. There is quite a gap now and I think the Royal Family has changed since Diana died. The most popular ones are the younger ones such as William and Harry, and they are the ones the public will take to their heart.

People saw the Queen Mother as a safe pair of hands. She was old school. She was beyond reproach. She was older and didn't say much, so she was the perfect figurehead.

The younger ones are more fallible.

Sophie has put her foot in it recently, Princess Anne is too serious.

People will want someone who makes them feel secure.

William will follow Diana and be the most popular."

Updated: 10:11 Tuesday, April 02, 2002