London: Britain's Telegraph newspaper has apologised and paid "substantial damages" to US First Lady Melania Trump after publishing an article last week that it says contains many false statements.

The newspaper said Saturday it apologises "unreservedly" to Mrs Trump and her family for any embarrassment caused by the content of a cover story titled The Mystery of Melania, which was published January 19, in the newspaper's weekly magazine supplement.

"As a mark of our regret we have agreed to pay Mrs Trump substantial damages as well as her legal costs," The Telegraph said. The newspaper did not disclose the size of the settlement with Mrs Trump.

First lady Melania Trump, left, accompanied by President Donald Trump, at a US airbase in Iraq last December. Credit:AP

The Telegraph said it falsely characterised Mrs Trump's father's personality, falsely reported the reasons she left an architecture program, and falsely reported her career as a model was unsuccessful before she met Donald Trump.