The Queen of Pop has released an apologetic audio message to her fans down under after cancelling the proposed Australian leg of her MDNA world tour.

Madonna uploaded the sound clip on August 26 and in it she explains that her decision to cut the promised dates from her schedule was a tough one, but she had started to feel like an "irresponsible parent" because of how extensive the tour was: "I am really and truly sorry to have disappointed you and it's something that I don't feel very good about."

"I'm not going to be able to come to Australia for the tour. I know the last time I was on tour I missed Australia as well. I can promise you in my heart of hearts that it was my intention to come again. But, like the last time, my children are my first priority."

"Because my children are older I can't take them on the road with me everywhere, I have to spend more time away from them. at the end of the year I really feel that I would be an irresponsible parent if I didn't stop my tour and spend time with them."

She added that her daughter, Lourdes, is at the age where she's preparing to leave home so she feels it's more important to be there for her: "My daughter's going to be leaving home soon, she's 16-years-old and it was a really hard decision for me to make."