I want to try and make a crown out of royal icing, like the tutorial that was recently posted.  My daughter wants a pink crown. My question is:

Can I add the liquid food coloring when I'm making the royal icing, and pipe with pink RI, or is it better to not mess with the recipe and paint it after it's made?

I thought it might be better to not have to paint it afterwards because it'll be fragile, but I also don't want to have icing that isn't stiff enough to make the crown. I use 3Tbsp. Meringue Powder, 4c. powdered sugar, 6Tbsp. warm water.  Could I just substitute some of the water with food coloring?

TIA

I don't use your recipe but I do add colour to royal icing before piping.  I would certainly not want to be trying to colour it afterwards.  Gel colour is better than liquid as it won't make it as wet.

Thanks for mentioning gel color.  I do have it, but hadn't thought to use it, but now I will.