News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman has been jailed for four months at the Old Bailey for plotting to hack into Royal aides' telephone messages.
Judge Mr Justice Gross told him: "This was low conduct, reprehensible in the extreme.
"This case is not about press freedom. It is about grave, inexcusable and illegal invasion of privacy. The targets were members of the Royal Family. The Royal Family holds a unique position in the life of this country. It is grave indeed."
The judge sentenced Goodman's co-defendant, private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, 36, to six months for his role in the tapping plot.
The judge said the "intrinsically serious and unattractive nature" of the offence meant immediate custody was inevitable.
"This was serious criminal conduct to which we must not become numbed," he said. "Such sustained criminal conduct should be marked by a loss of liberty," he added.
Goodman stood impassive as the sentence was passed, glancing at his wife for comfort.
The judge told both men: "Neither journalist or private security consultant are above the law.
"What you did was plainly on the wrong side of the line."
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