Key sign King Charles is finally listening to advice to slow down after hospital blip

King Charles is seemingly taking medical advice that he needs to slow down, with the 76-year-old having taken on only four engagements since returning from Italy earlier this month. The Queen, 77, has expressed her concern about King Charles's refusal to slow down his workload - even after his cancer diagnosis and treatment. She has previously told well-wishers that her husband is "doing fine" - but that he "just won't listen and do what he's told".

The King and Queen Camilla stepped out in Rome for a four-day visit from April 7 to 10. And one week after their return, on April 17, the King . During his appearance, he thanked a well-wisher who told him he looked in good health, to which he jokingly replied: "You are very kind, it's all mirrors." Just three days later, on April 20, the and Queen Camilla .

The royal couple arrived with fellow senior royals, such as Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

They were, however, not joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 7. The couple opted to mark the annual holiday privately in Norfolk with their children, who were all on Easter half-break.

The following day, the King met the Prince Minister of New Zealand at Windsor Castle on April 21. It marked the King's first official engagement since the death of the pontiff, the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Just days later, Prince William represented his father King Charles at Pope Francis' funeral in Vatican City.

This decision is due to royal precedent. Upon the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, the then-Prince Charles represented his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II at the funeral.

This evening, the King has hosted the Community Based Cancer Support Reception at Buckingham Palace.

In a statement, the King said: "My wife and I are delighted to host you here this evening to celebrate and above all thank those who so selflessly give care, comfort and reassurance to the 390,000 people who, sadly, receive a new cancer diagnosis across the U.K. each year. That is over 1,000 new cases every single day..."

He added: "...So to all the researchers pursuing pioneering breakthroughs; to the healthcare professionals providing specialist treatment; to the volunteers offering comfort, or campaigning to raiseawareness; and to the fundraisers enabling all this vital work - you have my whole family's deepest admiration and gratitude. Your commitment to early diagnosis, evermore successful therapies and truly holistic care represents the very best our country can offer..."