Princess Charlene of Monaco's face will grace a specially designed postage stamp to be launched next month. The first stamp bearing an engraved portrait of the former South African Olympic swimmer will be released during the international philatelic exhibition, MonacoPhil 2015, on December 3.According to the principality's stamp-issuing office, the stamp will be in circulation next year.Designed by former South African artist Stéfanie van Zyl, the stamp, which costs R25, depicts a portrait of the princess delicately incorporated into a bouquet of proteas, the South African national flower. The stamp was engraved by French artist Elsa Catelin.story_article_left1Van Zyl said she did the portrait in sepia to reflect an African tone."I put the proteas behind the portrait as I know the princess loves them," said Van Zyl.She said she was approached earlier this year by Monaco's office of postage stamps emissions to participate in the project for a stamp with Princess Charlene's portrait.Van Zyl met the princess at a charity function where she presented her with a portrait."Prince Albert attended two of my exhibitions. At the first one I donated a pastel portrait of Princess Grace, which I have been told now hangs at the entrance to his office."In 2012 Princess Charlene attended my exhibition and purchased two paintings."In 2007 Van Zyl was commissioned to do a pastel portrait of Nelson Mandela...