Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, 34, was sentenced by British Justice David Bean for the Feb. 15 assault on Bandar Abdulaziz, 32, at the Landmark Hotel.
"No one in this country is above the law," Bean said, according to The Associated Press. "It would be wrong for me to sentence you either more severely or more leniently because of your membership of the Saudi royal family."
Al Saud was convicted by a jury of murder and grievous bodily harm with intent, the second charge relating to an attack on Abdulaziz that was captured on videotape and showed at the trial, the AP said.
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The prosecutor, Jonathan Laidlaw, said the prince had previously harmed the aide and said pictures on a cell phone "plainly proved" there was a "sexual element" to the abuse, the AP said.Abdulaziz's autopsy revealed evidence of bruising, a broken rib, bleeding in the brain, neck injuries and bite marks on his cheeks.
The prince initially thought he could be protected by diplomatic immunity. He faced the possibility of execution if he returns to Saudi Arabia because homosexuality is a capital offense there, the BBC said. He belongs to one of the richest families in the world and could seek asylum in Britain upon his release.
Abdulaziz reportedly had been the victim of sadistic abuse for three years. On the night of his death, the two had been drinking heavily before returning to the hotel room, the Daily Mirror said.