From Spiridovitch (my translation)
The Emperor arose between 7 and 8 in the morning. After reciting his prayers, he would quietly leave the bedroom, so as not to wake the Empress, and would retire to the bathroom to his swimming bath where he would swim for some twenty minutes.
At 8 in the morning he would breakfast in the "Pallisander Room": tea with milk, small breads, biscuits. Once the Empress had awaken they would take tea together in the bedroom.
After tea, the Emperor began his receptions in his working study. The first received were generally the aide-de-camp and the first Marshal of the Court, Count Benkendorf, whose father had created the Guards Corps under Emperor Nicholas I. Count Paul Constantineovitch Benkendorf was a fixture in the Suite and in the Court, and was a man totally foreign to intriugue.
After these two persons, the Emperor received, whenever necessary, the commandant of the Palace who spoke to him about politics, and of the Guard, since at that time the Marshall of the Court would not entertain questions which pertained to the ceremonial and purely economic administration. (snip)After receiving the Commandant of the Palace, began the reception of the ministers or other people who had been specially called. This would last until 11:30. The Emperor would then take a promenade of one half hour in the garden, accompanied by his Scotty dogs.
Returning from his promenade, he lunched on the dishes from the ordinary mess of the escorts. That year, the samplings were not regularly brought, but after the autumn of 1906, an order was given to bring them every day at 11 o'clock: three times each week they were to make the samplings from the convoy mess and three other times from that of His Majesty's regiment.At noon the Emperor would recommence his receptions which would continue until luncheon. They habitually lunched in the Pallisander room, and that year they had guests nearly every single day. Later, as the health of the Empress began to decline, Their Majesties often lunched together alone in the Empress's salon. snip
After luncheon, the Tsar returned to work until 3:30; then he took a complete rest and would take a walk until tea at 5 o'clock.
During the time when he was taking his walk, if there was an urgent affair, the Commandant of the Palace would wait for his return to receive the necessary orders.
At 5, they took tea in the Empress' salon. The Tsar would use this respite to go over the Russian newspapers of all kinds, while the Empress would go over the English newspapers.
From 6 to 8 o'clock were new audiences. At 8, they dined. From 9:30 until 11, the Tsar worked alone or might receive, on certain days, the Prime Minister. This was the time in which they saw the most of Count Witte.snip
When they did not have to receive ministers, Their Majesties would go to take a ride in the town. At 9 o'clock our sentries were posted along the general route followed by Their Majesties. At 9:30 the telephone post at the Court would let us know that the sleigh had been ordered for 9:45, "For No.1". This is to say for the Emperor. snip
At 11 in the evening, Their Majesties take tea. The Emperor reads aloud. He truly loves Russian literature, which he fundamentally understands, aided by his remarkable memory. He reads quite well.
After reposing in the bosom of his family, the Emperor retires to his study where is remains until 12:15, in order to finish the business of the day. He then sends his courier to the military chancellory, where he will be received by the adjutant acting as chief of the that chancellory, the aide-de-camp Drenteln, a man most intelligent and wise, a well educated officer, well known among the men and very well informed of events.
As his boss, Prince Orlov, Drenteln enjoys to do what is right. He is always at that time quite in favor.
After having sent his courier, The Emperor records the day in his diary and goes to bed.
