Miley Cyrus has issued an apology after a U.S. magazine put a semi-naked photo of the star on its front cover - insisting she is "embarrassed" by the images.

The 15-year-old posed for the Vanity Fair magazine shoot wearing nothing but a blanket wrapped around her chest.

But the pictures, taken by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, have caused outrage in her native America, released just a week after candid snaps of the singer/actress posing provocatively in lingerie were leaked on the internet.

And Cyrus now admits she regrets going ahead with the magazine shoot.

She says: "For Vanity Fair, I was so honoured and thrilled to work with Annie (Leibovitz). I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed.

"I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about."

Speaking about the other set of photographs which ended up on the web, she says: "The pictures of me on the internet were silly, inappropriate shots.

"I hope (my fans) understand that along the way I am going to make mistakes and I am not perfect. I never intended for any of this to happen and I am truly sorry if I have disappointed anyone.

"Most of all, I have let myself down."

Those of you who have been living under a rock the past week can view Miley's saucy snaps here and the Vanity Fair photos here.