Once the Magistrates of a settlement are unanimous in their oath, the
named citizen is offered the crown, and must personally accept or
decline it - the crown is never bestowed automatically.
Accepting the Crown
Typing ACCEPT CROWN (or CROWN ACCEPT) while physically standing
in your settlement's City Hall accepts a pending crown offer. Doing so
calls the city to witness a short coronation ceremony, at the end of
which the crown is bestowed. If you currently hold a seat as Magistrate,
Consul, or Cardinal, that seat is vacated for you automatically as part
of the ceremony - there's no need to STEP DOWN first. Should you be
interrupted partway through the ceremony (leaving City Hall, or losing
your connection), returning and typing ACCEPT CROWN again resumes it
rather than starting over.
Declining the Crown
Typing REJECT CROWN (or CROWN REJECT) declines a pending crown
offer, and may be done from anywhere - no need to travel first. This
cancels any coronation ceremony already in progress, and clears every
Magistrate's oath, since their unanimous choice has been declined and
they will need to name someone new.