I love velvet at Christmas, every year I dig out a vintage black velvet Laura Ashley skirt to wear over the festive season. It just seems the perfect fabric to wear at this time of year – luxurious, expensive and a little bit baroque. So I was overjoyed tonight to see the Duchess of Cambridge chose a black velvet Alexander McQueen gown for The Military Awards. This is definitely amongst my favourite Kate looks ever. The exquisite gown was strapless, with a fantail style hemline, and had a feel of Lady Diana Spencer at Goldsmith Hall in 1981 to it. Diana was criticised on that occasion for showing too much…