President George W. Bush will welcome Sweden's King Carl XVI (16) Gustaf and Queen Silvia to Washington on October 23, the White House announced on Friday. “The United States and Sweden share a long history of friendship and a strong commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom,” the White House said in a statement. “The visit of [the monarchs] is an opportunity to further strengthen the U.S.-Swedish friendship.” Carl Gustaf and Silvia will then travel to Canada for an October 24-28 visit in which they are scheduled to meet with government officials and tour various sports, environmental, and cultural sites in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City.