Kate Middleton put baby bump rumors to rest (for the moment) in a sleek velvet gown by Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton. The Duchess’ black strapless dress showed off her svelte figure and ultra-toned arms at the Sun Military Awards in London.

For anyone who thought velvet was a dated style reserved for ’80s evening wear, Kate has proven otherwise. The sumptuous fabric already hit the couture runways and I suspect it will continue to have a strong presence come Fall 2012.

Kate smartly wore her hair down in her signature curls, as an updo might have been too harsh for the ensemble. While her coordinating clutch and statement gemstone necklace were perfect pairings, her best accessories stood beside her.