I don't know why we are hating on Rachel. As a candidate, she must one; not show any weaknesses and two; make herself appear to be the best out of the two. While I do agree that she should have credited Marie, it makes her appear weak, and even if she did not know the knowledge before; she has learned it then (being able to memorize so much is *chef's kiss*). She as a candidate is guilty of stealing credit, but that does not mean she isn't learning along the way which is what a candidate is supposed to do. (I know it's all to make our main character stand out more and it's not like Marie isn't likeable; in fact that she is so capable just proves that she deserves to be on that throne) but hating an ambitious young woman who has a lot to lose is NOT IT. Kay thanks for coming to my TedTalk.
What I still can't get is why no one went to ask the foreign diplomatic advisors for advice. There are specific people who are in charge of learning the culture of foreign countries for this EXACT reason and neither candidate thought to go ask for advice. It's a major flaw that I do not believe; that prior to Marie showing her skills there was not a single other individual of power who did not know that other countries did not have the same traditions; they acknowledge it by calling each-other PAGANS FOR DUCKS SAKE!