Former President George W. Bush is returning to the White House on May 31 for the unveiling of his official portrait.

A White House senior official says Bush and former first lady Laura Bush will return later this month for the release of their portraits. The official spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement.

It will be a rare return to the White House for Bush, who has avoided the spotlight since he left office in January 2009.

Bush appeared with Obama at the Rose Garden following the devastating Haiti earthquake in January 2010 and accompanied Obama last year to New York's ground zero on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Bush's presidential center is scheduled to open in Dallas in 2013.