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TEARFUL GOODBYE

Funeral for Asos billionaire’s three children killed in Sri Lanka terror attacks

ASOS owner Anders Holch Povlsen, 46, lost three of his four kids in the blasts at Shangri-La Hotel

ASOS billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen today said an emotional farewell to his three children who were killed in the Easter Sunday terror attack in Sri Lanka.

The tycoon wrapped his arms around his wife Anne and their surviving daughter Astrid as the three white coffins draped with flowers and balloons were carried into Aarhus cathedral in Denmark.

 The mourners gather around the cars and the Povlsen family held one another as the coffins are removed
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The mourners gather around the cars and the Povlsen family held one another as the coffins are removedCredit: The Mega Agency
 Three of his four children were killed in the blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday
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Three of his four children were killed in the blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter SundayCredit: Ritzau Scanpix
 At a memorial service last week for Alfred, Alma and Agnes, the fashion mogul described the family's loss as "utterly incomprehensible"
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At a memorial service last week for Alfred, Alma and Agnes, the fashion mogul described the family's loss as "utterly incomprehensible"Credit: EPA
 Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen with his wife Anne Storm Pedersen
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Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen with his wife Anne Storm PedersenCredit: PA:Press Association

Alma, 15, Agnes, 12, and five-year-old Alfred Povlsen died during a luxury family holiday when ISIS suicide bombers ambushed the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo.

Today with tears in her eyes and a look of extreme pain on her face, mum Anne leant into her husband for comfort as they watched the three small coffins arrive in three hearses.

They were joined by 700 mourners, including members of the Danish Royal Family and the country's prime minister.

Pastor Arne Holst-Larsen said during the emotional service: "The loss of our beloved children Alma, Agnes and Alfred are completely incomprehensible.

"With the many lovely people we have around us, close friends, talented colleagues and our loving family we will come together through it.

"We greatly appreciate the humanity that is also shown in Brande tonight - not only to our families and children, but to all the victims of the cruel acts in Sri Lanka."

And in a poignant moment after the service Astrid released colourful balloons in memory of her sisters and brother.

Over 700 mourners

The funeral comes two days after a memorial service in their home town Brande when Mr Povlsen, 46, described the family's loss as "utterly incomprehensible".

The fashion mogul, Scotland's largest landowner who has a net worth of £6billion, also thanked family and friends in the town of Brande for their love and support since the tragedy.

The outdoors-loving family reportedly divided their time between Denmark and Scotland.

In an open letter posted a few days ago, Mr Povlsen and his wife Anne Storm Pedersen, 40, said they would pass on their 12 estates - and their conservation project - to their kids when they die.

He wrote: “From our home at Glenfeshie, both Anne and myself – our children and our parents too – have long enjoyed a deep connection with this magnificent landscape.

The loss of our beloved children Alma, Agnes and Alfred are completely incomprehensible.

“As the holdings have grown and our common vision for the work becomes ever clearer, we have incorporated the entirety of the project into a venture we call Wildland.

“It’s a significant and lifelong commitment that we have made - not just for ourselves but for the Scottish people and Scottish nature too - a commitment which we believe in deeply.”

He added: “We are working towards an entirely sustainable model; everything in balance a project that can endure beyond what Anne and myself can ever expect to see in our own lifetime.”

Three days before the attacks Mr Povlsen's daughter Alma shared an Instagram photo of her siblings Astrid, Agnes and Alfred - calling them "three little bears" - in front of a swimming pool lined by palm trees.

It is thought that the proud dad was also injured in the attacks but it has not been made clear how.

Eight Brits were killed in the terror attacks at churches and hotels in Colombo - where tourists were eating breakfast and Christian worshippers were gathered for Mass.

The masterminds behind the attacks are thought to be Zahran Hashim and Ilham Ibrahim, the sons of a millionaire spice merchant.

 Balloons float above Alfred's coffin.  The bodies of his sisters follow as they are carried out of the cathedral
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Balloons float above Alfred's coffin.  The bodies of his sisters follow as they are carried out of the cathedralCredit: The Mega Agency
 The pastor called the loss of the children "completely incomprehensible"
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The pastor called the loss of the children "completely incomprehensible"Credit: The Mega Agency
 The Povlsen's had been on a luxury holiday at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, when it was ambushed by suicide bombers
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The Povlsen's had been on a luxury holiday at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, when it was ambushed by suicide bombersCredit: The Mega Agency
 Three days before the attacks Mr Povlsen's daughter Alma shared an Instagram photo of her siblings Astrid, Agnes and Alfred
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Three days before the attacks Mr Povlsen's daughter Alma shared an Instagram photo of her siblings Astrid, Agnes and AlfredCredit: The Mega Agency
 Mr Povlsen, 46 who has a net worth of £6billion thanked family and friends in the town of Brande for their love and support
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Mr Povlsen, 46 who has a net worth of £6billion thanked family and friends in the town of Brande for their love and supportCredit: The Mega Agency
 An Instagram post shared just before the children died
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An Instagram post shared just before the children diedCredit: Instagram
 The exterior of the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo which was devastated by a brainwashed jihadi bomber
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The exterior of the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo which was devastated by a brainwashed jihadi bomberCredit: EPA
 More than 300 people were killed in the horrific blasts on Easter Sunday
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 More than 300 people were killed in the horrific blasts on Easter SundayCredit: EPA
 Inside St Anthony's Shrine after an explosion hit the church in Kochchikade in Colombo
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Inside St Anthony's Shrine after an explosion hit the church in Kochchikade in ColomboCredit: Getty - Contributor
 At least 253 people were killed in the bomb attack in St Sebastian's church in Negombo yesterday
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At least 253 people were killed in the bomb attack in St Sebastian's church in Negombo yesterdayCredit: AP:Associated Press
 In the chilling footage, a suicide bomber walks into St Sebastian's church moments before he killed dozens inside
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In the chilling footage, a suicide bomber walks into St Sebastian's church moments before he killed dozens inside
 Sri Lankan Army soldiers secure the area around St. Anthony's Shrine
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Sri Lankan Army soldiers secure the area around St. Anthony's ShrineCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Children are pictured at Sunday school service at Zion Church where 14 youngsters died in the attack
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Children are pictured at Sunday school service at Zion Church where 14 youngsters died in the attackCredit: Facebook
 A suicide bomber attacked the church in Batticaloa killing at least 28
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A suicide bomber attacked the church in Batticaloa killing at least 28Credit: Facebook
Moment 'Sri Lankan suicide bomber walks into church with his device in backpack' seconds before detonating it killing dozens


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