Spiridovitch was there. From "Les Dernieres Anneess..." Vol 2 Ch. 19. The English translation here is my copyrighted work:
About one o'clock, Their Majesties and the Grand Duchesses arrived on board the Alexandria at the Nicholas bridge from where they went in a small boat to the Winter Palace.
The crowd silently and respectfully saluted the Imperial Family while they walked on foot from the quay to the small "particular door". The crowd was in a state of tension and anticipation, conscience of the gravity of the moment.
The Palace was filled with people. All of the generals and officers were already there, many of the functionaries, all sorts of people. Everyone was emotional. The officers were dressed in campaign dress. Many of them also carried bags containing maps and plans. The Nicholas Hall had an unaccustomed appearance. There was absolutely none of the usual order which always prevailed at Court. This time no was interested, no one cared.
The Emperor appeared by the left side door. Everyone instantly went quiet, all eyes were fixed on him.
He was followed by the Empress, the children, the suite and the Grand Dukes.
A solemn Te Deum began. The Emperor was pale. His eyes had a feverish gleam. From the red spots which covered his face, one could see that he was in a very greatly nervous state.
Despite myself, I was obsessed by the question: What will be the result of all this? Were the Germans crazy? They always had a system for everything, an order, a belief in the self assurance of their great superiority!
I was pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of the wishes for long life of the Emperor which arose in one voice from the crowd, much louder and more solemn that usual.
"Mnogaya lyeta, mnogaya lyeta" long and long years, replied the chorus in a tone no less solemn.
And as the choir repeated its wishes to "The Glorious Russian Army" the voices seemed to make the walls of the magnificent room shake.
Many of those present sang with the choir. Everyone made the sign of the cross with ardor.
After the service, the protodeacon read the manifest of declaration of war. He voice rang out amid a profound silence. Each person was afraid to miss even one word. The protodeacon finished reading, and the Emperor took a step forward. Everyone pressed before him. The smallest ones stood on tiptoes.
"It is with calm and dignity that our Mother, Great Russia has learned the news of the declaration of war" the Emperor began in a clear and ringing voice.
"I am persuaded that it is with the same feeling of calm that we shall conduct ourselves until the end of this war, which is what it is.
"I solemnly declare here that I shall not make a sign of peace until the last enemy soldier has left our soil.
"And you are to be the medium yourselves, the representatives gathered here of the troops which are so dear to me, of the guards and the enlisted military of Petersburg, it is by your means in which I shall address to all of my united army, driven by the same spirit, as strong as granite, and who I bless here for the hard work which you are to accomplish."
It is difficult to describe what happened next. I have never before or since heard such a "hurrah" like that which was given in response to the Emperor. Everyone pressed toward the Sovereign. They were singing "God Save the Tsar" and crying "hurrah" and then sang another hymn. Those who were the closest, forgot all discipline and etiquette encircled Their Majesties, kissing their hands, and assuring them of their affection and their loyalty.
The Emperor was moved. The Empress had tears in her eyes. Many of the military men also had tears in their eyes. The youngest ones were in ecstasy
Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaiovitch tried to remove Their Majesties from the crowd surrounding them, and They had much difficulty in clearing a path for themselves to the interior apartments.
Now everyone turned to Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaiovitch. They already saw him as the Commander in Chief, called to lead his armies to victory. The officers surrounded him and, amid incessant hurrahs, they raised him onto their shoulders.
The Grand Duke said several things, trying to calm them, return them to order, and to put them to work. This order seemed to sober up the crowd. They sang the National Anthem one last time, cried hurrah once more, and then the Grand Duke retired into the interior apartments.
The square in front of the Palace was black with the world. Flags, banners, standards all fluttered above the crowd. In the first row, people held portraits of Their Majesties. It was a sea of people. Silence was complete. The crowd seemed to be waiting for something else. And something else occurred.
On one of the balconies the Emperor appeared; behind him came the Empress in a white dress.
Heads immediately became uncovered, everyone knelt, the flags and standards lowered almost to the ground. The Tsar was greeted by hurrahs and by the hymn and the prayer "Spassi, Gospodi, ludi tvoya" (Lord, save your people)
The entire crowd sang.
…."Give to our pious Emperor, Nicholas Alexandrovitch, Victory over his enemies".
The prayer came to the balcony.
Their Majesties could not hold back their tears. They were crying on the square…they crossed themselves…The Tsar and the People were united in one sole desire, one sole goal, one sole prayer.
